Chief
of State: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since
30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Fredis
REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) Head of Government: Prime Minister
Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001) Government Type: parliamentary
democracy
Population Demographics
Population:
71,891 (July 2006 est.) Languages: Dutch (official),
Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect),
English (widely spoken), Spanish Religion: Roman Catholic 82%,
Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Life Expectancy: 79.28
Economic Information
Currency:
Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) GDP(per capita): $21,800 (2004
est.) Overview: Tourism is the mainstay
of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking
and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid
growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has
resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities.
Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with
75% of those from the US. Construction continues to
boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level.
In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery
in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange
earnings, has further spurred growth. Tourist arrivals
have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11
September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only
a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged
80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean.
The newly re-elected government has made cutting the
budget and trade deficits a high priority.
Exports: live animals and animal
products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical
equipment, transport equipment
Import: machinery and electrical
equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals;
foodstuffs
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Geography
Information
Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Area: total: 193 sq km
land: 193 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Background:
Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was
acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy
has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th
century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought
on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last
decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism
industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles
in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full
independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Independence Day: none (part
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Capital City: Oranjestad Administrative divisions: none
(part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
