Photo courtesy of Aruba Tourism Department
THE ABC ISLANDS. The Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (of the Netherland Antilles) are the three western-most islands of the Leeward Antilles in the southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. They are collectively known as the ABC islands.
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao were dismissed by their Spanish discoverers as isles inutiles (useless islands). Eighty years of war between the Dutch and Spain culminated in the Spaniards relinquishing control of the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, together with Saint Martin, Saint Eustatius, and Saba, to the Dutch. There was a brief switch of allegiance to Britain from 1805 to 1816, but in1816, under the Treaty of Paris, the Dutch regained control of these three islands.
Gold was the main industry in the early eighteenth century until the 1920s when the discovery of oil bought a dramatic change to the three islands. Their economy, which was already thriving with their business of gold mining, flourished even more, when they became home to some of the world’s largest oil refineries. In 1985, there was a shift to tourism with the shutdown of these refineries. In spite of their reopening, tourism has become these islands’ main business.
Today, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, while still known as the ABCs, have reinvented themselves from the label of being isles inutiles. The passage of time has led each island to build a reputation of its own, unique and distinct from the other.
Aruba now leads the Dutch Leewards group in tourism, ranking as one of the most popular Caribbean destinations. It is famous for its white sand beaches and rows of world-class hotels, gambling casinos, and the finest restaurants providing the most exotic cuisine. A quiet rivalry has been brewing between Aruba and Curacao because Curacao was chosen as the administrative seat of the Dutch government. Aruba asserted its independence in 1986.
Bonaire has earned the reputation of being one of the world’s top ten diving and snorkeling destinations, with its perfect reef-diving spots.
Curacao, the largest island in the Netherland Antilles, offers good diving spots and beaches. They are more popular for their distinctly colored liqueurs or cocktails.
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, three separate islands intertwined because of their history, are no longer the useless islands they have been unfairly branded. They have taken distinct steps forward to chart their own destiny.
Tillie and Joe James
Tillie James Travel LLC
804.997.9460 | info@tilliejamestravel.com
