Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, the Caribbean island known for its Dutch colonial heritage.
The city lies on Aruba's western coast and serves as the island's main administrative, commercial and transportation centre. Its name means “Orange City,” referring to the Dutch royal House of Orange.
Oranjestad developed around Fort Zoutman, built in 1796 by the Dutch to defend the harbour. The fort remains one of the city's best-known historic landmarks, alongside the Willem III Tower.
Aruba is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but it is geographically just north of Venezuela and outside the main island chain of the Lesser Antilles. Kralendijk is the capital of Bonaire, while Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao.