Aruba

parliamentary democracyIndependence none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Aruba as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 111 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalOranjestad

Position12 30 N, 69 58 W

Area193 sq km

LocationCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Populationas each edition published it

70,844 people July 2003 est. · 62,656 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.55% 2003 est. · 0.66% in 1993

Median ageyears

37.1 years 2002 · 41.2 yrs in 2025

Life expectancyyears at birth

78.83 years 2003 est. · 76.3 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.79 children per woman 2003 est. · 1.8 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

6.14 deaths per 1,000 live births 2003 est. · 8 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$28,000 2002 est. · $14,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

-1.5% 2002 est. · 6% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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.

Geography

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

17 fields

Land useshare of 193 sq km

arable land 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)permanent crops 0%other 89.47% (1998 est.)irrigated 0.01 sq km (1998 est.)

Area

193sq km

water: 0 sq kmland: 193 sq kmslightly larger than Washington, DC

Coastline

68.5km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 NM

Highest point

188m

Mount Jamanotalowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Climate

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Natural resources

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Natural hazards

lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt

Environment - current issues

Geography - note

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

19 fields

Population

70,844

(July 2003 est.)growth rate: 0.55% (2003 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2003 est.)

Birth

11.86Death

6.38Net migration

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2003 est.)78.83

75.48 · 82.34Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)6.14

6.99 · 5.25

TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2002)37.1

35.3 · 38.5

MaleFemale

Age structure

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.)

Sex ratio

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.)

Total fertility rate

1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - deaths

Nationality

noun:: Aruban(s)
adjective:: Aruban; Dutch

Ethnic groups

mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%

Religions

Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish

Languages

Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish

Literacy

definition:
total population:: 97%
male:: NA%
female:: NA%

Government

Parliamentary democracy; Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992); Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

52.4%

MEP 52.4%AVP 26.7%PPA 9.6%OLA 5.7%Aliansa 3.5%other 2.1%last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)

Legislature or Staten, 21 seats, elected 28 September 2001one dot, one seat

MEP 12AVP 6PPA 2OLA 1

Percent of vote

MEP 52.4%AVP 26.7%PPA 9.6%OLA 5.7%Aliansa 3.5%other 2.1%

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Aruba

Dependency status

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

parliamentary democracy

Capital

Oranjestad

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National holiday

Flag Day, 18 March

Constitution

1 January 1986

Legal system

based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)
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)
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)

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)
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

Judicial branch

Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders

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

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba

Flag description

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

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important.

36 fields

Real growth rate

-1.5%

(2002 est.)industrial production growth: NA

Inflation, consumer prices

3.2%

(2002 est.)

Unemployment rate

0.6%

Labor force

41,501

(1997 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

12.1%

54.7%

28.6%

Netherlands

12.7%

21.7%

Colombia

16.8%

Panama

8.3%

Netherlands Antilles

7.6%

Venezuela

5.7%

Exports $1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)Imports $2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)(2002)

Budget

Revenues

$135.81 millionExpenditures

$147 million (2000)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 100%hydro 0% · other 0% · nuclear 0%

Electricity production

531.9 million (2001)Electricity consumption

494.7 million (2001)

Economy - 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. 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

purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture:: NA%
industry:: NA%
services:: NA%

Population below poverty line

NA%

Labor force - by occupation

most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining

Industries

tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Agriculture - products

aloes;
livestock;
fish

Exports

$1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment

Imports

$2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs

Debt - external

$285 million (1996)

Economic aid - recipient

$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996

Currency

Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)

Currency code

AWG

Exchange rates

Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

3,402

(1997)

Fixed lines

33,000

(1997) · country code .aw

Telephone system

general assessment:: NA
domestic:: more than adequate
international:: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links