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As far as can be
concluded from historical records, the first European to set foot on
Aruba was Alonso de Ojeda. This Spanish explorer landed on the
Island in 1499. One of his first observations was that the remains
he found belonging to the first settlers were considered to be
larger than the average European of that day. He remarked that he
had come to "an Island of giants".
Popular belief links Aruba’s name with the Spanish phrase "oro huba"
which means "there was gold". In fact the Spanish did not find any
gold, and regarded Aruba as "valueless". Another possibility is that
Aruba’s name comes from the Indian word "oruba" which means "well
placed ". Yet another possible derivation of the name is from two
Carib Indian words "ora" meaning "shell", and "oubao" meaning
"island".
Arawak cave paintings inside the Ayo cave. Their meaning still
eludes scholars Long before the Spanish arrived, Caquetio Indians of
the Arawak tribe settled on the Paraguana peninsula in Venezuela.
Threatened by the Carib Indians who were extremely ferocious, they
came to the Island of Aruba perhaps as long as 4000 years ago.
Today, many names of towns and other geographical areas such as
Turibana, Guadirikiri, Camacuri, Andicuri and Bushiri, originate
from the earliest Indian chiefs and warrior settlers.
With the arrival of the Spanish many of the Indian population were
enslaved and relocated to Hispañola to work in mines. Despite this
their fate was merciful when compared to Indian populations on other
Caribbean Islands who were exterminated. In fact, the Island was
spared the usual horrors of Spanish colonial policies.
By 1642, the 80-year war between Spain and Holland was drawing to a
close, and it was in this year that the Dutch took possession of
Aruba. Dutch military personnel were sent to maintain Aruba, but
contrary to their living conditions under their previous masters,
the Indians were allowed to remain free. There was a short period
between 1805 and 1816 when the British assumed control. However, the
Dutch returned in 1816.
In 1824 gold was discovered and was mined extensively, becoming a
major export along with phosphate, divi-divi pods for use in leather
tanning and aloe. At one time Aruba satisfied a considerable
proportion of world demand for this plant’s gel - used for
pharmaceutical purposes and well-known for its capacity to alleviate
sunburn pain.
Eventually gold supplies dwindled and the once-booming mining
industry became unprofitable resulting in all operations ceasing in
1916. It was ultimately black gold that brought real prosperity.
In 1928 Royal Dutch Shell built the Eagle oil refinery and this was
immediately followed by a refinery built by Lago Oil and Transport
Company Ltd. in San Nicolas. Royal Dutch Shell ceased its operations
in 1953, after serving as a depot for both refineries during the
second world war. In 1932, the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (Esso,
now known as Exxon) took over the Lago refinery. The refinery
employed well over 8,000 people, 16% of Aruba’s population, and up
until the 70’s was one of the largest in the world.
On March 31, 1985, Exxon, pressured by a global oversupply, closed
the refinery but it was reopened by the Coastal Oil Company of
Houston, Texas on April 20,1991.
Within three decades Aruba became an island with probably the
highest standard of living in the West Indies. The illiteracy rate,
for example, is exceptionally low. Today tourism has become the
major factor in the island's economy with many major hotel chains
setting up in Aruba. In just a few short years, Aruba has become one
of the most popular vacation spots in the Caribbean, with visitor
figures approaching a million annually.
Historic gold mills
In the 1400's and 1500's, adventurers traveled throughout the
Caribbean in search of wealth and treasures. According to legend,
one of these treasure islands was named "Oro Ruba," which means "red
gold." Now known as Aruba, a colorful history of gold prospectors
has shaped the island's history. Today, remnants of this history can
still be visited.
Balashi
While driving down to Pos Chiquito, along the southwest shores, take
a left and drive through historic Frenchman's Pass, a narrow canyon
in the rocks with hundreds of chattering parakeets and birds in
residence.
Nearby is the Balashi gold mill ruins at the top of the Spanish
Lagoon, which is nearby the world's second-largest water
desalination plant.
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