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History

The history of Oranjestad, and Aruba as a whole, is deeply intertwined with the history of European exploration and colonization in the Caribbean. Oranjestad’s name, meaning "Orange Town," was derived from the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family. This reflects Aruba’s long-standing connection with the Netherlands, as the island has been a part of the Dutch Kingdom for centuries.

Aruba’s earliest known inhabitants were the Arawak people, who migrated from South America around 1000 AD. These indigenous people established settlements and lived off fishing, agriculture, and trade. However, the history of Oranjestad as a city began much later, with the arrival of the Spanish explorers in the 16th century.

In 1499, Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda claimed Aruba for Spain, initiating a period of Spanish rule that lasted for over a century. Aruba, along with neighboring islands Curaçao and Bonaire, was considered a "useless island" by the Spanish due to its lack of gold and precious resources. This perception allowed the island to remain relatively undeveloped during the Spanish occupation, but it was a safe haven for Spanish missionaries, traders, and even pirates who roamed the Caribbean.