Pieces of Eight

Aruba

Aruba was claimed by the Spanish in 1499, the native Indians having little say in the matter. The soil proved too poor to support plantation crops, and therefore never had a large influx of slaves.

The island was a rich source of copper, however, and the Spanish moved the entire population of Hispaniola here two centuries ago to work in the mines. When the mines were exhausted, the Spanish allowed the “settlers” to return home.

Seeing no other economic use for the island, Spain sold Aruba to the Dutch in 1636. With few natural resources, the Dutch use the land to graze cattle, and Aruba has become the primary source of meat for other Dutch interests in the Caribbean.

Pirates frequently raid the island for cattle, and the Dutch Crown is considering building a stone fort to bolster the island’s meager defences.