The history of Aruba began with the arrival of the Arawak and Caquetio indigenous peoples, who inhabited the island for centuries. In 1499, Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda claimed Aruba for Spain, but the island remained largely uncolonized due to its arid climate. In the 17th century, Dutch settlers arrived, and Aruba became part of the Dutch Caribbean. The island's economy shifted with the establishment of gold mining and later, aloe vera production. In 1986, Aruba gained autonomy from the Netherlands Antilles, becoming a separate entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.