Oranjestad, Aruba
Oranjestad (
English: "Orange City"), with a population of 26,355 (2000), is the
capital and most important city of
Aruba located on the southern coast near the western end of the island.
The town was built around
Fort Zoutman, shortly after it was built in
1796 and Oranjestad has been the capital of Aruba ever since. The fort is still one of the town's attractions, others being the tax-free harbour and the
Willem III Tower, located near the fort.
Oranjestad is served by the
Queen Beatrix International Airport.
Caya G. F. Betico Croes is Aruba's main shopping street in Oranjestad.
Due to the difficulty in pronouncing the name Oranjestad, Aruban people often refer to the city as "playa".
