Aruba

Capital: Oranjestad

An island in the Caribbean Sea, Aruba was discovered by Spain in 1499. It was acquired the Dutch in 1636. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. However it has retained ties with the Dutch country. Now a separate, autonomous entity within the Dutch Kingdom, Aruba has the Dutch ruling Monarch as its head of State.

A short distance north of the Venezuelan Paraguaná Peninsula, Aruba has a dry climate and a flat and arid, cactus-strewn landscape. Renowned for its white sand beaches, the island is filled with luxury resorts and posh casinos. It is home to few rolling hills including Hooiberg (541 ft) and Mount Jamanota(617 ft). Travel overview
Tourism is the mainstay of Aruba economy. The smallest island in the Leeward group of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Aruba is a stunning destination with its long stretches of white, sandy beaches, turquoise-blue waters and guaranteed sun. Attracting over 1.5 million tourists per year the beautiful, balmy island is famous for its Carnival, usually held from the beginning of January until the end of February,However, there are more than the beaches in Aruba. Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, derives it name from the colour Orange. The capital city is known for shopping. Don’t miss to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Numismatic Museum. 18th-century Fort Zoutman is another landmark.
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Capital: Oranjestad
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Total Area: 193 sq km
Total Population: 100,018
Population Growth Rate: 1.522%
Sex Ratio: 0.906 male(s)/female
Literacy: 97.3%
Ethnic Groups: mixed white/Caribbean, Amerindian,
Irrigated land: 0.01 sq km
Languages: Papiamento, Spanish , English , Dutch
Time Zone: UTC-4
Currency: Aruban guilder/florinType of govt.: parliamentary democracy
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Nelson O. Oduber
Major Political Parties: Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA, Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA, Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA, Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA, Aruban People's Party or AVP, People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP
Participation in International Organizations: ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO
Major Agricultural Products: aloes, livestock, fish
Natural Resources & Minerals: NEGL; white sandy beachesIndustry & Transport: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Airports: 1 Roadways:
800 km

Major Trade Partners: Netherlands, Panama, Colombia, US, Venezuela, Netherlands, UK
Exports: $80 million
Imports: $875 million

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