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Flag of Aruba
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  Introduction
  Geography
  People
  Government
  Economy
  Communications
  Transportation
  Military
  Transnational Issues

In general, information available as of 1 January 2003
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2003.


This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003


Map of Aruba

Legend: Definition Definition Field Listing Field Listing Rank Order Rank Order
   Introduction    Aruba
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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.
   Geography    Aruba
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 193 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 193 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
68.5 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
NEGL; white sandy beaches
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)
permanent crops: 0%
other: 89.47% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
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)
   People    Aruba
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
70,844 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121)
15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955)
65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 37.1 years
male: 35.3 years
female: 38.5 years (2002)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.55% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 78.83 years
male: 75.48 years
female: 82.34 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition:
total population: 97%
male: NA%
female: NA%
   Government    Aruba
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba
Dependency status:
Definition Field Listing
part 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
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Oranjestad
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
1 January 1986
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOL
cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)
election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%
elections: the monarch 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 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Consul General Deborah A. BOLTON
embassy: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao
mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao
telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066
FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
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
   Economy    Aruba
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
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. Construction has boomed, 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. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
-1.5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
41,501 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.6%
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $135.81 million
expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
531.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source:
Definition Field Listing
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
494.67 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA (2001)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
aloes; livestock; fish
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
US 26.9%, Venezuela 20.9%, Netherlands Antilles 19.5%, Netherlands 14.2% (2001)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
US 61.8%, Netherlands 11.7%, Venezuela 3.1%, Japan 2.6% (2001)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$285 million (1996)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Currency:
Definition Field Listing
Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Currency code:
Definition Field Listing
AWG
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Aruba
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
33,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3,402 (1997)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: NA
domestic: more than adequate
international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.aw
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
Definition Field Listing
NA
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24,000 (2002)
   Transportation    Aruba
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 km
Highways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 800 km
paved: 513 km
note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
unpaved: 287 km
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
none
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3
note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.)
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1
Airports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
   Military    Aruba
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
   Transnational Issues    Aruba
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity

This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003


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