Oranjestad

The capital of Aruba, is in the most widely spoken language, Papiamento, simply called Playa. The city was built in 1796, shortly after Fort Zoutman was finished. The fort and the harbour of...

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The capital of Aruba, is in the most widely spoken language, Papiamento, simply called Playa. The city was built in 1796, shortly after Fort Zoutman was finished. The fort and the harbour of Oranjestad are still tourist attractions, the latter because it’s a tax-free area. The city’s name is derived from Dutch royalty Oranje-Nassau and its first king, Willem van Oranje-Nassau. Tourists come to Oranjestad to shop and to enjoy themselves.