Trivia in Aruba

National symbols

Flag: A light blue field with a four-pointed red star outlined in white in the upper hoist corner and two horizontal yellow stripes at the bottom, symbolizing the island's sea, sun, and sandy beaches

Emblem: A shield-shaped coat of arms featuring aloe and clasped hands at the center, with a lion on top and laurel branches on both sides

Trivia & facts

• Car license plates have the island's slogan "ONE HAPPY ISLAND" printed on them
• Aloe has been cultivated since the 19th century, self-proclaimed as "world's oldest aloe export site"
• The Aruban rattlesnake is an endemic species with only about 2,000 specimens worldwide
• Official currency florin coins include rare square-shaped coins
• Tap water is drinkable through desalination, reputed to be as good as bottled water
• Island roads are right-hand traffic with speed limit up to 80 km/h
• No sales tax, but a sales tax equivalent collection system (BBO)
• Most electricity from oil generation, but solar and wind power ratios are increasing
• Rainfall concentrates in September-November with annual precipitation around 510mm
• Free streetcar runs in downtown Oranjestad