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The Arikok National Park land area encompasses the three primary geological formations that shape the island of Aruba: the Aruba lava formation, a quartz diorite formation and a limestone formation extending inward from the coastline. These formations have played an important role, not only in supporting unique, indigenous plants and wildlife, but by influencing historic human settlement and activity patterns on the island.
The rock outcrops, boulders and crevices between the various formations create micro-climactic conditions that support unique examples of indigenous flora and fauna. As a result, the park is the habitat of several animal species found only in Aruba including two snake species: the cascabel, Crotalus thurissus uni-color (Aruba island's rattlesnake) and the santanero, Leptodira bakeri (Aruba cat-eyed snake); the kododo blauw, Cnemido- phorus arubensus (Aruban whiptail lizard); and two bird species: the shoco, Athene cunicu- laria arubensis (Aruban burrowing owl) and the prikichi, Aratinga pertinax arubensis (Aruban parakeet).
Early settlement and activity patterns of the island were also influenced by the resources and micro-climactic conditions found in this area. The limestone formation, for example, supports the largest natural fresh water spring on the island and, for that reason, was the site of early agricultural settlements and small-scale plantations during the early years of European rule.
The micro-climactic conditions on the western side of the highest hilltops in the park, Arikok and Jamanota, provide protected locations from the constant northeasterly winds. This, together with the better soil conditions in this area, made the western side of the island more suitable for agriculture and settlement. In the early days of European rule, the merchant and wealthier classes of farmers settled along Aruba's south coast near present day Oranjestad while poorer settlers and farm workers were relegated to areas with less fertile soils and difficult terrain, such as the Arikok National Park territory.
The remains of several of their settlements can be found in this area and the form and shape of their houses, known as the cas di torta, have became a cultural icon for Arubans. Several phases of Native American occupation occurred in Aruba, each leaving behind artifacts and evidence of the inhabitants' presence.
Significant sites of early native art and settlements are located inside Arikok National Park. Geological conditions also resulted in the presence of gold deposits in the Arikok area. During the last century, a considerable amount of mining activity occurred, leaving behind remnants of these early operations including the ruins of a mine complex known as Miralamar.
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