Aruba

Aruba 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.

Aruba Information

• Population: 71,218 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
• Location:: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
• Religions:: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
• Ethnic Groups:: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 193 sq km
• Coast Line: 68.5 km
• Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
• Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%) permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: NA
• Natural Resources: NEGL; white sandy beaches
• Highways: 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
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
• Airports: 1 (2003 est.)