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Old historical photos and images of Oranjestad, Aruba
Oude historische foto's en afbeeldingen van Oranjestad, Aruba

Main page • Countries of North and South Americas • Cities of Netherlands • Cities of Aruba

History of city Oranjestad, Aruba in photos

A small historical reference

Geography: Oranjestad is the capital and largest city of Aruba, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country. In the local language, Papiamento, Oranjestad is often referred to as "Playa".

The town was built around Fort Zoutman shortly after it was built in 1796. Initially, the town had no official name, being known only as the town on the Bay of Horses (Paardenbaai in Dutch), a place from which horses were raised and exported to neighbouring Curaçao and Jamaica. In the early 19th century, Oranjestad was like a village, because Aruba had no large plantations or international traders. The total population of the island in 1816 was estimated at 1,732 most of whom were farmers. Fort Zoutman was the main building around which 200 small houses had been erected. The town had two churches: one Catholic and one Protestant. Nearby was the fishing village of Rancho.

Oranjestad became the capital city of the island in 1824. It was named after the first King William I of the Netherlands. During that period interest in Aruba increased due to the discovery of alluvial gold deposits. The oil industry discovered Aruba in 1924. The establishment of an oil refinery by Lago Oil and Transport Company not only resulted in a population increase, but a significant increase in the prosperity of the island. From the 1960s onwards, tourism became more important and has resulted in the creation of a large hotel zone. Administratively, the city has been split in two districts: East and West. Oranjestad, Noord and Santa Cruz have merged into one near continuous urban area covering the north of the island.

Date of foundation: 1796

History:

Population: 34 980

Sights:

Oranjestad. Bird's eye view, 1940
Bird's eye view, 1940
Oranjestad. Bird's eye view
Bird's eye view
Oranjestad. Commercial District
Commercial District
Oranjestad. 'De Veer' Theater and 'Trocadero' Bar and Restaurant
'De Veer' Theater and 'Trocadero' Bar and Restaurant
Oranjestad. Fruit market
Fruit market, between 1950 and 1970
Oranjestad. Harbor, boats
Harbor, boats
Oranjestad. In the middle of downtown, plaza Daniël Leo
In the middle of downtown, plaza Daniël Leo
Oranjestad. Market
Market
Oranjestad. Nassau Street, 1950
Nassau Street, 1950
Oranjestad. Nassau Street
Nassau Street
Oranjestad. Old Mill
Old Mill
Oranjestad. Old Mill
Old Mill
Oranjestad. Panorama of the city
Panorama of the city, 1940's
Oranjestad. Panorama of the city street
Panorama of the city street
Oranjestad. Panorama of the city street
Panorama of the city street
Oranjestad. Panorama of the city street
Panorama of the city street
Oranjestad. Protestant Church
Protestant Church
Oranjestad. Protestant Church on Wilhelmina Street
Protestant Church on Wilhelmina Street
Oranjestad. Royal couple drives from the airport to Oranjestad, 24.10.1955
Royal couple drives from the airport to Oranjestad, 24.10.1955
Oranjestad. Royal visit to Aruba - arrival of Princess Beatrix, 1958
Royal visit to Aruba - arrival of Princess Beatrix, 1958
Oranjestad. Saint Francisco Church
Saint Francisco Church
Oranjestad. Wilhelmina Street
Wilhelmina Street, circa 1920s
Oranjestad. Wilhelminapark, 1956
Wilhelminapark, 1956
Oranjestad. Willem III Tower
Willem III Tower


Photos posted on the website in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works of 9 September 1886, the term of protection which is fifty years after the author's death.

After this period photos it becomes public domain. The participants of the Berne Convention are 167 States.


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