From the Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013 edition:
Aruba, pronounced ah ROO bah, is an island in the Caribbean Sea that is part of the Lesser Antilles island group. Since 1986, Aruba has been an autonomous (self-governing) country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Previously, it was part of the Netherlands Antilles, which was a largely independent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba covers 69 square miles (180 square kilometers) and has a population of about 108,000. Oranjestad is the capital and largest city.
Aruba is a hilly, rocky island that supports little agriculture. However, it has coral reefs, white sand beaches, and a warm, dry climate that attract many tourists. Aruba's population is predominantly mestizo (of mixed American Indian and European ancestry). Dutch and Papiamento, the local Creole language, are the official languages.
Aruba is one of the most prosperous islands in the Caribbean. Its chief industries include tourism, financial services, and oil refining.
American Indians were the first inhabitants of Aruba. The Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda claimed Aruba for Spain in 1499. The Dutch gained control of the island in 1636. A gold rush in the 1820's and the opening of an oil refinery in the 1920's contributed to Aruba's prosperity. After World War II (1939-1945), Arubans became increasingly uncomfortable as part of the Netherlands Antilles. There were constant disputes between Aruba and the nearby island of Curacao. Arubans began seeking independence from both the Netherlands and the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles. An agreement between Aruba and the Netherlands resulted in Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. Aruba has local self-government, but the Netherlands retains responsibility for its defence and foreign affairs.
Sargasso, Sea pronounced sahr GAS oh, is an irregular oval-shaped area of the North Atlantic Ocean. Its center is about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) west of the Canary Islands. It lies roughly between the 20th and 40th parallels of north latitude and between the 35th and 75th meridians west of Greenwich. No land boundaries mark off this body of water from the rest of the open ocean. It is set apart only by the presence of seaweeds that float on its surface. It is also a region of slow ocean currents surrounded by a boundary of rapidly moving currents, such as the Gulf Stream and the North Equatorial Current. The Sargasso Sea derives its name from sargaco, a Portuguese word for seaweed. Christopher Columbus is given credit for the first reliable report on this region. He took tests in 1492 to make sure that no rocks lay beneath the sea's weeds.
Scientists believe that the seaweed first came from the shores of the West Indies, after it had been torn loose by wind and waves. Parts of it adapted to living and growing in the open sea. The weeds developed a method of reproduction that enables them to multiply and grow without producing seeds. Waves break off sections of the mature weeds. These fragments then grow into full-size seaweeds in the same way that a cutting from a grape plant grows into a large grapevine. The weeds are supported by air sacks which resemble tiny grapes and grow as a part of the weeds. Sargassum weeds grow in many ocean regions. One variety is used as food in Japan.
It was usually in great patches but the strong winds prevented that
First sight of Aruba
The tourist bus I took during the last visit
A tree, growing on a sandbar
Back in the ship, almost alone
Planes landing every 15 or 20 minutes
The colours of water
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