P44W – Aruba

John, W2GD will compete in the CQ WW DX CW competition on November 23-24, 2024 in Santa Cruz, Aruba (IOTA SA -036).
He will be responsible for operations in the single operator all-band category.
Nearest DX Point P44W
P44W Log Searchsearch Prior to the contest, John would do some CW on all bands as time permitted, with an emphasis on the WARC band.
QSL was performed by LoTW and N2MM.
Direct QSL advertising:
Carol Richards, 22 MILL RD, SHAMONG, NJ 08088, USA.

Aruba: What Travelers Need to Know

The island is located off the coast of Venezuela and colonization began in the early 16th century. The first inhabitants of the area were expelled Spanish and Dutch residents. They worked in the mines of Santo Domingo, extracting copper to import to the mainland. After the mines were exhausted, the island became a military base for the Spanish Navy. The invaders began to develop agriculture in the form of the Dutch, taking advantage of the fertile soil and favorable climatic conditions to grow cereal crops. Along with the development of agriculture, cattle breeding was also developed. The colonists raised horses and increased the number of goats every year.

Aruba. Author- Gregory Smith.

Why colonists were so interested in Aruba

A few years later, the area was called Geiteneiland, meaning “Goat Island”. In 1684, the production of red paint began, the main ingredient of which was extracted from the Brazielhout tree on the southern coast of Aruba. The successful production attracted the attention of neighboring countries, who were eager to strengthen their financial situation. British troops occupied the island in the early 19th century. For more than 20 years, the new owners exploited its natural resources, after which the Dutch returned to power. During the British rule, gold was discovered in the area. A “gold rush” began, which did not subside until the outbreak of World War I. Fortunately, the reserves of the locals were exhausted and the gold diggers withdrew from the island.

The British planted aloe vera in the area and produced rubber for export to the United States and Germany. This product, known as “Curacao rubber” on the mainland, was one of the most expensive products in the world due to its high quality and performance. It was a major source of income for the British treasury, part of which was used to beautify Aruba. By 1910, phosphate mines were discovered. The Dutch, who took over the baton from the British, established the Aruba Maatschappij Mining Company. The local population increased dramatically due to the influx of workers from the mainland.

However, the real boom began after 1920. The island became a veritable oil Klondike. The exploitation of the “black gold” had a beneficial impact on the development of infrastructure and industry in the region. The economy strengthened, refineries opened, and residents lived a prosperous life. Eventually, they submitted a petition to secede from the colony of Curacao. The authorities granted them partial autonomy, but independence remained a pipe dream.

Independence and prosperity in the Caribbean Netherlands

In the middle of the 20th century, Aruba became an autonomous state of the Netherlands. As tourism developed, a large number of experienced tourists came to the island, attracted by the amazing natural scenery, the warm Caribbean Sea, the mild sunshine and the magnificent views. The coast of the island is covered with golden, snow-white and gray sandy beaches. The clear waters wash the numerous beaches, there is no heavy rain, and the tropical climate makes Aruba one of the best holiday destinations in the world. Travel agencies recommend not to go to the island in November and December, because there may be short rains. However, even the time spent on the island can be very rewarding. There are three museums in the area: the Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum and the Coin Museum, which is unique in the world. Its exhibits include more than 30,000 coins. The staff of the Archaeological Museum actively participates in excavations in the area. They will tell tourists about the prehistoric period of the development of the island.

It is worth noting that most of the island’s inhabitants are parishioners of the Catholic Church. The official language is Dutch, but a mixture of English and Spanish is used in everyday speech. The Papimento dialect is also prevalent, with a vocabulary made up of Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and English, with some expressions borrowed from local Indian dialects.

The island is virtually crime-free and has a tax-free zone, which ensures the prosperity of the area. Islanders warmly welcome guests with delicious food and national cuisine. Visitors note the high level of service in restaurants, cafes and even pizzerias. Aruba Highlands is full of casinos and luxury hotels, offering a stunning panoramic view of the prosperous island.

Aruba Videos

P44W. Where is Aruba located. Map.