18th March: Aruba National Day

Today is Aruba's Flag and Anthem Day. 10 facts about Aruba:

1. Both the Flag and the National Anthem (Aruba Dushi Tera) were adopted on 18 March 1976 and this date is celebrated as a national holiday. The colours on the flag are symbolic - blue for the sea, Yellow for abundance and the island's historic gold industry, red for brazilwood and patriotism, white for the white sand beaches and purity. The red star represents the island and the four points of the Compass, with the island having drawn people from around the world. The horizontal yellow stripes denote the free and separate position Aruba enjoys within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2. Its capital is Oranjestad. Other major towns are Paradera, San Nicolas, Noord, Santa Cruz, and Savaneta.
3. There are no rivers on the island and very low rainfall - so it has been necessary to desalinate seawater to get enough drinking Water. The desalination plant is the third largest in the world. Mineral content is strictly controlled to provide a clean flavour and, among locals, an icy glass of fresh, purified seawater is called a Balashi Cocktail.
4. The highest point is Mount Jamanota at 188 meters (617 ft) above sea level. From here, and from the next two highest points, Arikok and the Hooiberg, it's possible to see the coast of Venezuela, which is only nine miles away.
5. The main industries are tourism, petrol refining and the export of aloe. The aloe plant appears on the country's coat of arms.
6. Another plant found on the island is the divi-divi tree. These trees are bent into fantastic shapes by the prevailing winds, and there is a local saying, “follow the bend of the divi-divi trees and they’ll lead you to town”.
7. Animals you'll find there include the Aruba Island Rattlesnake and Aruban Burrowing Owl. Both of these appear on the country's currency.
8. Sarah-Quita Offringa, the Women’s PWA World Champion Freestyle Windsurfer and holder of many records including youngest woman to become world champion, is from Aruba.
9. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao, Aruba forms a group referred to as the ABC islands.
10. The official languages are Dutch and since 2003, Papiamento, the predominant language on Aruba. It is a creole language, also spoken on Bonaire and Curaçao. It incorporates words from Portuguese, West African languages, Dutch, and Spanish.