Aruba | Oranjestad | Flag of Aruba | Map of 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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