Oranjestad is the capital and main city of the island of Aruba, a Dutch territory in the Caribbean. It is serviced by the Queen Beatrix International Airport. The city is named after the first King Willem van Oranje-Nassau (William of Orange-Nassau), the first heir to the Dutch House of Orange.
The majority of the tourist hotels and resorts are along the coast outside of the city, which is located on the southwestern part of the island, however Oranjestad has its own charm: pastel-colored houses, a wharf where fishermen unload their fresh catches each morning, palm-lined streets with shops and boutiques, and Seaport Village, a modern shopping center. For lessons in the island's history, visit the Archaeological Museum of Aruba. The city also is a key port for Caribbean cruises.