Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
(part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Aruba
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Aruba
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Aruba
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Aruba
 
Navigation Arrow view 8 photos Opens in New Window
of Aruba
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12 30 N, 69 58 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 180 sq km
country comparison to the world: 218
land: 180 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
68.5 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ceru Jamanota 188 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NEGL; white sandy beaches
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 10.53%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 89.47% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA (1998 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Back to Top
People and Society ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 80.8%, Protestant 7.8% (Evangelist 4.1%, Methodist 1.2%, other Protestant 2.5%), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
107,635 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 18.1% (male 9,793/ female 9,713)
15-64 years: 70.3% (male 36,364/ female 39,318)
65 years and over: 11.6% (male 4,899/ female 7,548) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 38.4 years
male: 36.6 years
female: 40.2 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.413% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.76 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 47% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ORANJESTAD (capital) 33,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12.51 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 129
male: 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 75.93 years
country comparison to the world: 85
male: 72.89 years
female: 79.04 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.84 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.3%
male: 97.5%
female: 97.1% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 23.2%
country comparison to the world: 36
male: 24.1%
female: 22.9% (2007)
Back to Top
Government ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary democracy
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Oranjestad
geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Flag Day, 18 March (1976)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 January 1986
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
civil law system based on the Dutch civil code
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (since 30 October 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2009 (next to be held by 2013)
election results: Mike EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%, other 10.4%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Common Court of Justice, Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
other: environmental groups
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)
lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER
note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)
Back to Top
Economy ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Tourism and offshore banking are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Oil refining and storage ended in 2009. 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. Tourist arrivals rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
$2.205 billion (2004 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.4% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$21,800 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 33.3%
services: 66.3% (2002 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
41,500 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.9% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $568.4 million
expenditures: $735 million (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
25.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-7.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
46.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 73
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
4.4% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
3% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.4% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
9% (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.765 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
$1.762 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.448 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$1.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
aloes; livestock; fish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.758 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
$5.179 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Colombia 40.8%, Venezuela 20.5%, Netherlands Antilles 15.6%, US 8.9%, Netherlands 4.5% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.476 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$5.892 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 50.6%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 4.7% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$478.6 million (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar -
1.79 (2012 est.)
1.79 (2011 est.)
1.79 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
calendar year
Back to Top
Energy ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
880 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
818.4 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
266,000 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
88.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
227,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
205,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,661 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
205,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6,646 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.241 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Back to Top
Communications ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
35,000 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
131,800 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system
domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed
international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 commercial TV stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 20 commercial radio stations broadcast (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.aw
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
40,560 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 101
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 188
Back to Top
Transportation ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 217
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Back to Top
Military ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
no regular military forces (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 24,891
females age 16-49: 26,202 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 20,527
females age 16-49: 21,493 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 767
female: 743 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands. The Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism (2011)
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Aruba
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.