Every March 18, the small island of Aruba celebrates Flag Day. The flag was first raised in 1976, and the day is one of the island's most important holidays. Aruba sits in the southern Caribbean Sea, just 15 miles north of Venezuela. Despite its tiny size, only 69 square miles, Aruba is one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean. What makes Aruba unusual among Caribbean islands is its climate. Most Caribbean islands receive heavy rainfall and are covered in thick green forests. Aruba is dry and arid, more like a desert than a tropical paradise. Strong trade winds blow across it constantly. Instead of tall palm trees, the island has short, twisted divi-divi trees that lean sideways from the endless wind. These trees have become a symbol of Aruba because they cannot be found in that shape anywhere else. The island's name may come from the Spanish word "oro," meaning gold, because early explorers believed there was gold on the island. They never found much. Today, tourism has replaced gold as the island's treasure. Aruba's warm weather, consistent sunshine, and location outside the hurricane belt make it a popular year-round destination.