I know that Aruba isn't exactly it's own country, but how long has Aruba been around? When did the Dutch come to the island and claim it as their property?

That's a nice question. Oh well, I think they'd been there for a long time that its alright for us now not to remember and just enjoy the life there.

I think that's important to someone. Every country likes to boast about how long they've been settled or something. I would think it's something that's imprinted on their money or on the flag or something.

hirami wrote:

I know that Aruba isn't exactly it's own country, but how long has Aruba been around? When did the Dutch come to the island and claim it as their property?

Aruba existed way back 1000 years AD when the Arawak Indians fled from Venezuela to Aruba island to escape the brutality of Carib Indians..

What kind of brutality was this? Did they escape in order to have religious freedom like the English did when they fled to America, or were they just looking for freedom in general?

hirami wrote:

What kind of brutality was this? Did they escape in order to have religious freedom like the English did when they fled to America, or were they just looking for freedom in general?

Maybe, its one of the reason why they fled..but i guess the main reason was the brutality of this CArib Indians to them...