Talk:Aruba

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Someone deal with the "Lugo" references at the end of the History article.

An automated Wikipedia link suggester has some possible wiki link suggestions for the Aruba article:

  • Can link Council of Ministers: ...rnment]] is the prime minister who forms, together with the Council of Ministers, the [[executive branch]] of the government. ... (link to section)
  • Can link tropical climate: ..., riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches. Its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the [[Atlantic Oc... (link to section)
  • Can link above sea level: ... The highest point in Aruba is [[Mount Jamanota]], at 188 m above sea level. ... (link to section)
  • Can link Deficit spending: ...e agriculture and manufacturing industries remain minimal. Deficit spending has been a staple in Aruba's history and modestly high infl... (link to section)
  • Can link monetary policy: ...been present as well, although recent efforts at tightening monetary policy may correct this. Aruba receives some development aid from ... (link to section)
  • Can link exchange rate: ... Dutch government each year. The Aruban guilder has a fixed exchange rate with the [[United States dollar]] of 1.78:1.... (link to section)
  • Can link slave trade: ...ty. This saved the island from plantation economics and the slave trade. The Dutch left the Arawaks to graze livestock,using the is... (link to section)
  • Can link Caribbean islands: ...bean. The Arawak heritage is stronger on Aruba than on most Caribbean islands. No full-blooded Indians remain, but the features of the is... (link to section)
  • Can link American culture: ...United States has recently also increased the visibility of American culture on the island. [[Queen Beatrix International Airport]], loc... (link to section)
  • Can link Latin American: ...s an important one in Aruba, as it is in many Caribbean and Latin American countries. Carnival is usually held from the beginning of ... (link to section)

Notes: The article text has not been changed in any way; Some of these suggestions may be wrong, some may be right.
Feedback: I like it, I hate it, Please don't link to — LinkBot 11:32, 1 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Wikipedia:Caribbean Wikipedians' notice board

I would like to announce the establishment of the Wikipedia:Caribbean Wikipedians' notice board. Anyone with an interest in the Caribbean is welcome to join in. Guettarda 1 July 2005 13:37 (UTC)

[edit] History

There is something wrong with the following sentence, at least grammatically: Movement toward full independence by 1996 was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. The Gnome 03:22, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Why? It means "the [movement to achieve independency by 1996] was halted [at Aruba's request in 1990]". Where's the problem? —Nightstallion (?) 13:01, 25 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Natalee Holloway

I removed the Natalee Holloway reference from the short summary of Aruba's history in the main page. Not only is this totally US-centric (it hasn't been "in the news" at all outside of the US) but I hardly think the incident is even close to having enough significance that a island with an entire millennium of history should have an entire third of a summary of said history devoted to it. --Jamieli 18:25, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

FWIW: I agree. A sad event but insignificant in a broad view. See Missing white woman syndrome. MH 18:59, August 24, 2005 (UTC)

I removed the Holloway part from Miscellaneous, there are over 200000 unsolved murder cases in the USA, how 'bout we put the names of those missing/murdered people on the main pages of the USA or their states? Dont think so...... Superdude99 17:33, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

I heard someone go missing in New York last month. Quick everyone, everyone lets all boycott New York City!
The idea of a boycott on Aruba- is just as effective as- if the EU threatened to boycott a part of the USA like Puerto Rico. The circumstance for this one missing person was- tragic but really-- get a grip! Why did this school not have a buddy--system implemented for their students before they turned them all loose to get drunk in a bar and go driving all over without any clue of taking care of their student's well being???? Would the school have turned a class full of students loose in any major US city without any supervision? CaribDigita 08:57, 21 September 2005 (UTC)
The Holloway case has certainly put Aruba in the news and, perhaps, generated many page views for this page. A nation of 300,000,000+ people who are interested in this girl, regardless of white woman syndrome, and want to know more about this speck of an island, 100,000 strong, and to not mention this case, is ridiculous. This case has put Aruba on the map. Why not have a mention of it somewhere? User:caminari 01:12, 1 May 2007 (UTC+9)
Well I certainly disagree. The Holloway case has mainly generated considerable attention in the news in the U.S., Aruba and the Netherlands, not in the rest of the world, certainly not as much as in the three mentioned countries. People who are interested in this topic can also visit the page Natalee Holloway, when they use the search function, they can find it easily. This news will fade in people's memories as other news does too. It is not important on a big scale. And for example the Virginia Tech Massacre is also not mentioned on the articles on the United States and Virginia, so I don't see why this topic need coverage in the Aruba article. Peter Maas\talk 17:28, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
I live in Australia, and it's made the news down here, more than once. What was the last thing about Aruba that made news all around the world? This is notable, and should be put back in. Wikipedia isn't here to only focus on the positives. --Commking (talk) 23:53, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Spoken version

I didn't have much to do, so I created a spoken word version of this artical, it's my first attempt at a spoken word artical. It took longer to make then I thought it would. I hope people find it useful. --dirtyliberal 05:36, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Papiemento

My error, sorry.

[edit] Motto

According to everything I've found on the web, the motto "One Happy Island" isn't actually a national motto, it only appears on taxi license plates. I've removed the motto; feel free to revert if I'm wrong. PruneauT 20:43, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

it should not be called a motto, I think, but there is an official message communicated through the Aruba Touorism Authority. Since Aruba's tourism is an important economic factor, this message is used in all kinds of communication, not just on taxi's. In fact there is recently a new 'slogan' (which I would prefer to call it) developed. This slogan is, however, not official yet, so I will not mention it until it's announced. Blonkm 15:05, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] no disputes...

how come nobody ever disputed this occupation of south american /central american territory ? no minister said anything political about it ever ? Amoruso 01:36, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I don't see why. It's just been sooo long ago now. And the 'rumors' about Venezuela being interested to occupy Aruba are just that: rumors. Blonkm 14:05, 31 October 2006 (UTC)
True, it has indeed been so long ago and their are not territorial disputed with other countries (the Venezuela issue was indeed a rumour). The movement toward full independence by 1996 was postponed upon the request of Aruba's prime minister, Nelson O. Oduber, in 1990. It was decided to postpone Aruba's independence date until the people decide otherwise through a referendum. So I don't think you can speak about "occupation" in this case. Aruba is now an independent, self-governing member state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Peter Maas\talk 17:50, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] External links restructured

I have put some new links in the section and organized it as well. There may be too many links in there, but I think at least it's nicely organized. Some links may fit into a more specific article text on the subject. Like e.g. Central Bank had a lot of critics in the government, and Setar was recently made semi-private, getting an important competitor in the form of Digicel. I also removed some obvious personal links ('one couples guide to aruba') and replaced them with more established local tourism guides. Blonkm 14:03, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Proposed WikiProject

There is now a proposed WikiProject for the Caribbean area, including Aruba, at Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Proposals#Caribbean. Interested parties should add their names there so we can determine if there is enough interest to start such a project in earnest. Thank you for your attention. Badbilltucker 16:53, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Remove sentence

I removed the following sentence because it is not grammatical and it is unreferenced:

Islanders can often speak four or more languages and their culture and customs.

-- Beland 01:19, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Carnival/Karnaval

Do Arubans really call it "Carnival"? We celebrate "Karnaval" here on Bonaire. Kww 23:33, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

Carnival is the "English" name of this festival. In the Netherlands (the European part of the kingdom), and thus in Dutch (one of the official languages of Aruba) this festival is called "Carnaval" or like on Bonaire "Karnaval". Peter Maas\talk 17:42, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] arubaplaza

The link to arubaplaza.com has been put in and taken out several times. I have looked at it, and feel that, while it is an advertiser supported site, it is mainly an informational site and is appropriate to the article. Before I revert it back in, I'd like to discuss it. Kww 17:23, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] BIAS

is it me or is this section:

In 1515, the first Spanish Governor of this region, Alonso de Ojeda, who married a native American, had the entire population transported to Hispaniola where they all had to learn the fifteenth century vulgar "Spanish" spoken there and work in the copper mines; most were allowed to return when the mines were tapped out.

The Dutch, who took control almost two centuries later, left the Arawaks, who spoke the "broken Spanish"

sounds VERY BIASED. What makes their spanish to be vulgar? vulgar means "indecent; obscene; lewd". this sounds like an opinion, NOT A FACT. someone please rewrite this as it has a undertone of bias or superiority in it. Adreamtonight 05:43, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

It's you. The references to "vulgar Spanish" and "broken Spanish" are quotes, and are probably references to one of the predecessors of Papiamento (which is a fine language, but not good Spanish). Kww 10:14, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Alonso de Ojeda's bride

I removed text referring to Alonso de Ojeda marrying a "Native American". I tried to find out what tribe she may have belonged to so that I could be specific, but could find no reference to the marriage at all. If someone can find a reference for this, it should be reinstated with a specific tribal identity.

[edit] Aruba not North American

Aruba is accreting to the South American plate, leaving the Caribbean plate. It isn't on, or even particularly near, North America.

http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2007/2006TC002028.shtml

http://www.ig.utexas.edu/bolivar/summary/index.htm

You should look again at your reference http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm . It doesn't include Aruba as a part of North America either. It groups it into "Latin America and the Caribbean".

I think the best description of the "National Geographic" reference is "an error." Kww 12:16, 30 August 2007 (UTC)

I'm sorry, you are somewhat mistaken. Neither of your links indicate specifically/explicitly that Aruba is a part of South America, only that it may lie on the South American plate or elaborate about its physiography (e.g, part of the Leeward Antilles). That is not in dispute, but the West Indies are conventionally grouped with North America. In the UN link provided, Aruba is included in the Caribbean and a note further elaborates: "The continent of North America (003) comprises Northern America (021), Caribbean (029), and Central America (013)." And the National Geographic reference is certainly not an error. As well, this map of North America from the Atlas of Canada indicates the same (as opposed to that of South America, which does not). Until you can provide reliable sources as I have, it is you who may be in error and need to look again. Corticopia 14:31, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
The UN reference is just invalid, since the UN geographical scheme clearly indicates that it was created for statistical propuses and that the inclusion of any member state in a particular subregion doesn't mean anything. Kww, I'd recommend you to read the article about the UN geographical scheme. AlexCovarrubias ( Talk? ) 15:52, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
Your map of "North America" also includes Venezuela and Columbia, so it isn't much of a reference, and you can clearly see Aruba at the top of the map of South America. Being on the South American plate puts Aruba in South America ... there is no suitable substitute criterion. Reverting your ludicrous claim.Kww 19:55, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
It is clear you are willfully blind to clear references; the Atlas of Canada maps clearly delineate what is where but, of course, other references say the same thing. As well, your assertion that being on x plate puts it on x is nonsensical: if that were true, half of Russia would be part of North America. Anyhow, unless compelled otherwise, I will be correcting your ludicrous reversions in due course. Corticopia 00:37, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What does this mean?

I find the following quote from the text (section History, second paragraph, last sentence.) rather illogical:

In another letter he described a small island inhabited by very large people, which the expedition thought was not inhabited.

Were "the large people" not "inhabited"?? Did "the expedition" first or continuously believe the island not to be inhabited, while Vespucci found out they were wrong? Please eludicate!-- JoergenB (talk) 17:49, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Aruban florin

Is there a list of "world's smallest countries with own currency"? Should Aruba be on it, if not at the top? Martinevans123 (talk) 18:30, 24 April 2008 (UTC)