Aruba is a lively island with with high-rise resorts and poshy casinos lining its white-sand beaches. You'll find plenty of things to do, too: sunbathing, world-class windsurfing and waterskiing by day, and discos, cabarets, dinner shows and high-stakes gambling at night. Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in the 17th century. However, it's no longer officially a member of the Netherlands Antilles group. Since 1986, it has been a "separate entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands." But because of its proximity to Bonaire and Curacao, the other members of the so-called "ABC Islands," many people continue to lump them together. Actually, all three islands have been influenced as much by Venezuela. Aruba is just 24 km (approx. 15 miles) off the coast of Venezuela. It is mostly flat and arid, scattered with fields of cacti and aloe plants.
