Why does Aruba have barren soil and little natural irrigation?

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Aruba’s barren soil and lack of natural irrigation are primarily due to the island's arid climate, which is characterized by low and variable precipitation that typically amounts to only about 17 inches (430 mm) per year.1

Because of these dry conditions, the island's natural vegetation is limited to drought-resistant cacti, shrubs, and trees. The scarcity of fresh water is so significant that the majority of the island's drinking water must be obtained through the desalination of seawater.1