ARUBA
Details
The wind-swept island of Aruba was discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, later acquired by the Dutch in 1636.
Once part of the Netherlands Antillies, Aruba withdrew, and subsequently became an independent member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Oil refining (even gold mining) were the major industries here, but then tourism developed, and the economy of Aruba changed. In fact, Aruba remains one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.
This sunshiny place of balmy (some say perfect) weather, sandy beaches, duty-free shopping, and one of the most fascinating ecosystems on the planet, is surrounded by the warm, aquamarine waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Official Name Aruba, an autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Population 71,500
Capital City Oranjestad (22,000)
Languages Dutch (official), Papiamento, English
Official Currency Aruban Guilder
Religions Catholic, Protestant, others
Land Area 74 sq miles (193 sq km)
Latitude/Longitude 12º 30N, 69º 58W
Highest Point Mt. Yamanota, 620 ft. (188m)
Recent events that affect trade: the kidnapping of the mising girl has been in all the press, and has negatively affected tourism, and hence trade. As a Dutch country, the Netherlands has become involved as this event has hurt their bottom line from lost toursim dollars.
Economy
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Aruba enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean region and the lowest crime rate; low poverty and unemployment rates are also positives for Aruba. About half of the Aruban gross national product is earned through tourism or related activities. Most of the tourists are from Venezuela, the European Union (The Netherlands, Spain, England) and the United States ( East/ south), which is Aruba's largest trading partner. Before the "Status Aparte", (a separate completely autonomous country/state within the Kingdom), oil processing was the dominant industry in Aruba despite expansion of the tourism sector. Today, the influence of the oil processing business is minimal. The size of the agriculture and manufacturing sectors also remains minimal.
The G.D.P. per capita for Aruba is calculated to be around $23,600, one of the highest in the Americas.
Deficit spending has been a staple in Aruba's history, and modestly high inflation has been present as well. Recent efforts at tightening monetary policy may correct this. Aruba receives some development aid from the Dutch government each year, which will cease in 2009 as part of a deal(signed as "Aruba's Financial Independence") in which the Netherlands gradually reduces its financial help to the island each successive year. The Aruban florin is pegged to the United States dollar, with a fixed exchange rate where 1.79 florin equals 1 U.S. dollar.
In 2006 the Aruban government has also changed several tax laws in order to further reduce the deficit. Direct taxes have been converted to indirect taxes as proposed by the IMF. The inflation for 2006 has been calculated at 2.5%.
Aruba has possibly the second largest seawater desalinization plant in the world (Saudi Arabia has the largest.)
Geography
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One of the Lesser Antilles, specifically in the Leeward Antilles island arc, Aruba is a generally flat, riverless island renowned for its white, sandy beaches. Most of these are located on the western and southern coasts of the island, which are relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents. The northern and eastern coasts, lacking this protection, are considerably more battered by the sea and have been left largely untouched by humans. The interior of the island features some rolling hills, the better two of which are called Hooiberg at 165 metres (541 ft) and Mount Jamanota, which is the highest on the island, at 188 metres (617 ft) above sea level. Oranjestad, the capital, is located at 12°19′N, 70°1′W.
As a separate member state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the island has no administrative subdivisions. To the east are Curaçao and Bonaire, two island territories which form the southwest part of the Netherlands Antilles; Aruba and these two Netherlands Antilles islands are also known as the ABC islands.
The local climate is a pleasant tropical marine climate. Little seasonal temperature variation exists, which helps Aruba to attract tourists all year round. Temperatures are almost constant at about 28 °C (82 °F), moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Yearly precipitation barely reaches 500 mm (20 in), most of it falling in late autumn.
Demographics
Population of Aruba according to the
FAO in 2005; number of inhabitants given in thousands.
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Aruba is situated in the deep southern part of the Caribbean. Because of almost no rainfall, Aruba was saved from plantation and the economics of the slave trade.
Aruba's population is estimated to be about 80% Arawak Amerindian and 20% white and other. Arawaks spoke the "broken Spanish" which their ancestors had learned on Hispaniola. The Dutch took control almost two centuries after the Spanish, and left the Arawaks to farm and graze livestock, and used the island as a source of meat for other Dutch possessions in the Caribbean. The Arawak heritage is stronger on Aruba than on most Caribbean islands. Although no full-blooded Aboriginals remain, the features of the islanders clearly indicate their genetic Arawak heritage . Most of the population is descended mostly from Arawak, and to a lesser extent Spanish, Italian and Dutch and a few French, British and African ancestors.
Recently there has been a substantial immigration to the island from neighboring American and Caribbean nations, attracted by the well-paying jobs.
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