Aruba

No, Arubans aren't black or white. Instead, they're a mix of black and white. That mix and the Caribbean sun give them the look of a year round tan.

Specifically, the modern day Aruban is a blend of over 40 nationalities in addition to the original Arawak inhabitants. The population is estimated to be 80 percent mixed Amerindian European ancestry and 20 percent other ethnicities. The first inhabitants were Arawak Indians who migrated from the Orinoco Basin in South America. Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda [c. 1466-1515] came across Aruba in 1499 while exploring nearby Venezuela.

Spain was in control of the island until 1636, when the Dutch gained control. The United Kingdom occupied Aruba from 1799 to 1802 and again from 1805 to 1815. Aruba then returned to Dutch rule until the island gained autonomy on January 1, 1986.

Oranjestad West and Oranjestad East are the regions in which Oranjestad is located in Aruba.

Specifically, Aruba's Central Bureau of Statistics (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek) organizes the island into eight Geographical Address Classification (Geografische Adressen Classificatie) regions. The other six regions are as follows:

1. Noord/Tanki Leendert;

2. Paradera in the north;

3. Santa Cruz in central Aruba;

4. - 6. Savaneta, San Nicolas North, and San Nicolas South in the south.

Avoiding the use of hotel telephones is a cheap way to call Chile from Aruba.

Specifically, the exact cost depends upon the cell phone plan in question. For example, you can call anytime during an unlimited plan. But if you do not have an unlimited plan, call during times that are covered.

Yes, there's a need for dental hygienists in Aruba. But that need first is met by interviewing and hiring Arubans. Specifically, the island has a skilled labor force and low unemployment. Jobs only are offered to non Arubans if no Aruban is qualified or available to fill the position.

Two permits are required to live and work on Aruba. A residence permit is required for residing in Aruba for more than 3 months. The future employer is required to complete the application for a work permit. Permits are available from the Department for Integration, Policy and Admission of Aliens [Departamento di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero, DIMAS]. The DIMAS address is the following:

Wilhelminastraat 31-33

Oranjestad, Aruba.

The DIMAS phone number is [297] 522-1500. Their fax number is [297] 522-1505. Their email address is dimas@aruba.gov.aw.

For more information, please access the DIMAS website by visiting the link provided below.

It takes about 5.5 hours to fly from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.

Specifically, the distance between Aruba and Minneapolis, Minnesota is 2,626 miles (4,227 kilometers; 2,282 nautical miles). The island and the state are not in the same time zone. Minneapolis is two hours behind Aruba.

Between 4-1/4 and 4-1/2 hours is the ramp-to-ramp time it takes to fly by JetBlue from New York City, New York to Aruba.

Specifically, the time in air is calculated as hovering around 3 huors 45-50 minutes. The destination in Aruba is the Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad. The departure and return airport in the United States of America is New York City's JFK.

According to the Official Aruba Community Forum on Food to Pack, there's no problem in bringing food into Aruba. The only exception that's noted is fresh produce. Canned vegetables are acceptable. It also is noted that Aruba has a number of large supermarkets such as Certified Cash & Carry, Hong King, Ling & Sons, and Super Food with prices comparable to their equivalents in the States of America. In fact, Ling & Sons is an IGA super center.

For the discussion on Food to Pack, please visit the link provided below.

Yes, it's possible for a naturalized American citizen to regain Dutch citizenship from having been born in Aruba. The requirements for acquiring Dutch citizenship have been amended several times since the Netherlands Nationality Act took effect in 1985. The most recent amendment took effect on April 1, 2003. The two main procedures for acquiring Dutch citizenship are option [a form of simplified naturalization] and naturalization.

An exemption put in place on February 1, 2001 considers anyone issued a Dutch passport or proof of Dutch citizenship on or after January 1, 1990 never to have lost their Dutch citizenship. Your application to Dutch citizenship in Aruba is through the Department of Immigration [Departamento di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero, DIMAS]. Their email address is dimas@aruba.gov.aw. Their call center phone number is [+297] 522-1590. Their address is 31-33 Oranjestad, Aruba.

Leftover Aruban currency may be exchanged for your home currency or it may be donated to UNICEF's [United Nations Children's Fund] Change for Good. Currency exchange desks are available in major airports and major banks.

The 'Change for Good' was established in 1987. It has established a successful partnership with the international airline industry for leftover currency collection. Additionally, it has provided UNICEF with over $90 million for immunization and other child healthy programs throughout the world.

Ten major airlines run Change for Good collections on their international flights. American Airlines, with regular international flights to Aruba, has participated in the program since 1994.

For more information on the Change for Good program and airline partners, please visit the links provided below.

According to online Timeshare Consumers Association, Marriott timeshare buyers and sellers are entitled to a 14 day cooling off period in according with UK law.

Specifically, the buyer is entitled to a full refund of any deposit. This entitlement applies to timeshare buying or selling anywhere in the world. The 14 days starts with the day of signing.

Aruba doesn't have a national fruit. But two native fruits that are cherished by Arubans are makapruim and shimarucu. Makapruims [Spondias purpurea] are Spanish plums. Their color ranges from violet to yellow. They contain ascorbic acid [Vitamin C], calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

Shimarucu [Malpighia punicifolia] is also known as Barbados cherry, Caribbean cherry, and sometimes West Indian cherry. One single shimarucu provides the minimum daily requirement for ascorbic acid [Vitamin C].

For photos of makapruims and shimarucu with reminiscences by an Aruban, please access arubagirl's article by visiting the link provided below.

Eighty-nine (89) degrees Fahrenheit (31.67 degrees Celsius) is Aruba's average water temperature.

Specifically, this is the average of all temperatures throughout the year. But especially the March temperatures may be a bit cooler due to a cold stream that circulates throughout the Caribbean during the months from March through June. Additionally, the cold stream often will be accompanied by cold fronts extending into the Caribbean from the eastern coastal United States of America and causing strong currents and turbulence in Caribbean waters, none of which leads to warmer water temperatures.