Aruba and the Netherlands?

Question

On the maps Aruba looks like this Aruba (Neth). Is Aruba apart of the Netherlands, I know that things like defence are the responsibility of the Netherlands and the Dutch coast guard etc. Say If I went to Aruba, could I say that I have been the the Netherlands, or just one of its territories?

Answer 1

Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, and the Netherlands form a commonwealth, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As an autonomous region, Aruba operates independently for the most part internally, but also work in the common interest of the other two.



You can't really say that you've been to the Netherlands, since Aruba is its own nation and the culture is distinct, being more Caribbean than European. Many of the islands in the Caribbean have this relationship with European nations yet have little in common culturally.

Answer 2

It'd be like saying you went to England after you visited Australia.

Besides Aruba being a part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, it has very little in common with the Dutch culture, infrastructure and people.

It's also a 13-hour plane ride from Aruba to The Netherlands. =)