!!!Aruba %%image_right [{GoogleMap location='Aruba' type='embedded' zoom='bounds' width='450' height='350'}] %% [{Image src='aa-lgflag.gif' class='image_left' height='150' width='226'}] Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. %%menu-geo %%cols-r * %%icon-geo,geo %% [Geography|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Geography] * %%icon-geo,maps %% [Maps|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Maps] * %%icon-geo,culture %% [Culture|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Culture] ---- * %%icon-geo,special %% [Special Information|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Special_Information] * %%icon-geo,picture %% [Pictures|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Pictures] * %%icon-geo,community %% [Community Contributions|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Community_Contributions] %% %%