Aruba is an island, located in the southern Caribbean Sea. The island is situated to the north of Paraguaná Peninsula, Falcón State, Venezuela. The country is a part of the kingdom of Netherlands. The country has a hold in internal affairs but the external affairs and defense are controlled by the Kingdom of Netherlands. Royal Netherlands Navy, the Netherlands Marine Corps and the Netherlands Coastguard together defend the island from any external attack. The capital city Oranjestad is situated at 12 31 N, 70 02 W. The land is famous for its white sandy beaches, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. The National day 18th March is celebrated as a National holiday. On that day in 1976, Aruba presented its National Anthem and national flag.
HISTORY:-Aruba was first inhabited by the Caquetios Amerindians from the Arawak tribe. Amerigo Vespucci first wrote about Aruba in his letters to Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de' Medici. Aruba came in European touch when Spain made colonies in the country in 1499. Aruba was later claimed by the Netherlands in 1636. And at last, the British reached the land in 1799. After the short span of British occupation from 1799 to 1802, and from 1805 to 1816, Aruba came under the Dutch control again in 1816. During the World War II, from 1940 to 1942, Aruba became a British protectorate and from 1942 to 1945, it became a United States protectorate. In 1845, Aruba officially came under Netherlands Antilles.
GEOGRAPHY:- Aruba is located at 12 30 N, 69 58 W in the Caribbean. The total area captured by Aruba is 193 sq km. the total coast line is 68.5 km along with the Caribbean Sea. The land is a flat island. It is a riverless country. Some places are hilly. The lowest point is Caribbean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Mount Jamanota (188 m). Aruba with the Bonaire and Curaçao islands, sometimes are called as the ABC islands.
CLIMATE:- Aruban climate is different from the other Caribbean countries. The climate of Aruba is mostly dry, tropical marine with temperature variations according to the seasons. The land is situated outside the hurricane belt.
GOVERNMENT:- Aruba enjoys dependency status to Kingdom of the Netherlands. After the separation from the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba has gained full autonomy in internal affairs, while the Dutch government takes control in defense and foreign affairs. Aruba’s government is a parliamentary democratic government. The constitution was adopted on 1st January 1986. The legal system is based on Dutch civil codes, but some British influences are also found.
The three government branches are:
Executive branch comprises the chief of state (Queen), the Prime minister (head of government) and cabinet. The council of ministers of the cabinet is elected by the Staten.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats).
Judicial branch comprises Common Court of Justice of Aruba. Justice is appointed by the Queen.
Some noteworthy political parties are People’s Electoral Movement (MEP), Aruba People’s Party (AVP), Network (RED), Aruba Patriotic Movement (MPA), Real Democracy (PDR), Aruba Liberal Organization (OLA), Aruba Patriotic Party (PPA), Aruba Democratic Alliance (ALIANSA), Socialist Movement of Aruba (MSA). Suffrage is given universally at the age of 18.
Monarch Queen Beatrix
Governor Fredis Refunjol
Prime Minister Nelson O. Oduber
Vice-Prime Minister Marisol Lopez-Tromp
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Aruba has no administrative divisions as it is a part of the kingdom of Netherlands. But Aruba can be divided into 8 regions:
Noord, Oranjestad (west), Oranjestad (east), Paradera, Santa Cruz, Savaneta, Sint Nicolaas (north), and Sint Nicolaas (south).
CULTURE:- Aruba has a mixed culture. Aruban culture is highly influenced by the Dutch culture. Sinterklaas is celebrated on 5th and 6th December, Queen’s birthday- Dia di La Reina is celebrated on 30th April, Betico's Croes birthday is celebrated on 25th January. Christmas and New Year celebrations are characterized by a typical music and song. Aruban Carnival is very famous worldwide. Dia di San Juan is celebrated with the song of Dera Gai.
ECONOMY:- Tourism is the backbone of the small economy of Aruba. The country has an open economy with tourism, offshore banking and oil refining and storage. The country has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. Aruba has the 3rd largest seawater desalinization plant in the world.
GDP/PPP (2004 est.): $2.13 billion; per capita $21,800.
Real growth rate: 3.5%.
Inflation: 3.8% (2005 est.).
Unemployment: 7.3%.
Arable land: 11% aloe plantations included (0.01%).
Agriculture: aloes; livestock; fish.
Labor force: 41,500 (2004 est.); most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining. Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining.
Natural resources: negl.; white sandy beaches.
Exports: $80 million f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2004 est.): live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment.
Exports - partners: Netherlands 27.7%, Panama 25.5%, Colombia 12.8%, Venezuela 11.1%, US 9.4%, Netherlands Antilles 7.1% (2006)
Imports: $875 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs.
Imports - partners: US 53.6%, Netherlands 12.9%, UK 3.6% (2006)
Budget:
Revenues: $507.9 million
Expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.)
Public debt: 46.3% of GDP (2005)
Major trading partners: Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela, Netherlands Antilles, Colombia, U.S. (2004).
Monetary unit: Aruban guilder/florin
LANGUAGE:- The official languages are Dutch (5.8%), Papiamento (66.3%). English (7.7%), Spanish (12.6%) are also widely spoken.
Other 2.2%
Unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)
CITIES:- Capital Oranjestad is the largest city of Aruba.
POPULATION:- The estimated Aruban population is 101,541 with a growth rate of 1.5%.
Density per sq mi: 969
Literacy rate: 97% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Other 20%
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 82%
Protestant 8%
Other (includes Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish) 10%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 12.81 births/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.65 deaths/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.26 deaths/ 1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.06 years
Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/ woman (2008 est).
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
TRANSPORTATION:-
Roadway- 800 km; 287 km unpaved
Port: 3- Barcadera, Oranjestad, and San Nicolas
Airport: 1- Queen Beatrix International Airport.
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