Arikok National Park
Aruba · Other
About
Arikok National Park, covering 7,907 acres (32 km2) in the northeastern region of Aruba, was officially established in 2000. Approximately 20% of Aruba's total land area is designated as a National Park, dedicated to safeguarding the park's biodiversity, geological formations and historical and cultural significance.
The establishment of Cunucu Arikok resulted from the development of Arikok National Park. This region was once a small plantation owned by Arie Kok, featuring an adobe house (cas di torto). Surrounding the house, there existed a substantial, wild garden with nameplates highlighting various common Aruban plant species. Moreover, within the rural expanse, dolerite rocks adorned with indigenous rock paintings can be found. One of these paintings serves as the current logo of the nature reserve. The reserve's name also originates from the proprietor of the adobe house, which remains within the reserve in a renovated state.
Arikok National Park is repository of historical and cultural heritage. Its historical significance is evident in Fontein Cave, where, pre-Columbian, Arawak cave drawings offer a glimpse into early human activity. More recent additions include drawings by early European settlers and contemporary graffiti, which has prompted protective measures, including gating and locking the cave. It is only open to visitors who participate in guided tours with park staff. The park features historic adobe plantation houses, the original cunucu (rural) houses known as Cas di torto. Cunucu Arikok, an early farmstead thoughtfully restored for preservation, recalls Aruba's agricultural history. Protective measures like cactus hedges and stone walls were erected to ward off goats, sheep, and donkeys. Abandoned gold mines in the Miralamar area of the park are also visible. After closing in 1916, the gold mines and surrounding structures are now largely overgrown.
The concept of a national park in Aruba was first considered in the late 1960s. However, it wasn't until 1980 that a plan was put forth for the development of the Arikok-Jamanota area as a national park. Only a portion of this plan was realized, leading to the creation of Cunucu Arikok. In 1995, the government introduced a new plan for the national park's development, coinciding with the implementation of the Nature Protection Regulation. This regulation laid the foundation for a comprehensive nature protection policy on the island of Aruba and marked the beginning of the national park's establishment.
The year 1996 witnessed the approval of the Nature and Landscape Structure Memorandum by the Aruban government. A commission was subsequently formed to establish Arikok National Park, and in 1997, they formulated a policy document outlining how the national park would be managed. Finally, in 2000, the Arikok National Park was officially established through a Ministerial Order. By 2003, it had evolved into a foundation, Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF) (formerly Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)).
Arikok National Park features three primary geological formations, the Aruba lava formation (ALF), Aruba Batholith, and limestone terraces. The youngest formation, limestone shelves, rests atop the second-oldest, the Batholith. The oldest, the ALF, is not visible. Magma rose, cutting through formations and solidifying into quartz veins. These veins are younger than the surrounding formations. The magma brought up minerals, including gold. Veins vary from a single centimeter to over a meter in width. These quartz veins were mined for their gold content. More than 20 veins were mined, with the Miralamar mine being particularly notable.
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.