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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.aw

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

25,051 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95

Internet users [time series]

24,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 184

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

38,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

127,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

aloes; livestock; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $507.9 million expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

11.23% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 11.01% (31 December 2007)

Debt - external [time series]

$478.6 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993 providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season. Hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80% compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

850 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Exchange rates [time series]

Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports country comparison to the world: 189

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Panama 22.3%, Colombia 19.5%, Venezuela 17.1%, US 13.8%, Netherlands Antilles 10.8%, Netherlands 7.3% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.258 billion (2005 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$2.258 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2.205 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$21,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$1.054 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 170

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

US 53.3%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 4.6% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 41

Labor force [time series]

41,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 44

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Oil - consumption [time series]

8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Oil - exports [time series]

231,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Oil - imports [time series]

236,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Oil - production [time series]

2,351 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl country comparison to the world: 99

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

46.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 42

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.321 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 102 $1.348 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$780.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 $640.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$890.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 $792.9 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.9% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 180 sq km country comparison to the world: 217 land: 180 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

68.5 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

Geographic coordinates [time series]

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Geography - note [time series]

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)

Irrigated land [time series]

0.01 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005)

Location [time series]

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened

Natural resources [time series]

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Terrain [time series]

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Capital [time series]

name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

1 January 1986

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba

Dependency status [time series]

member country 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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mike EMAN (since 30 October 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten 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 in 2005 (next to be held by 2009) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

International organization participation [time series]

Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU, WMO

Judicial branch [time series]

Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1

National holiday [time series]

Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: environmental groups

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 24,585 females age 16-49: 25,742 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 20,287 females age 16-49: 21,232 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 722 female: 711 (2009 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.1% (male 9,921/female 9,758) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 34,676/female 37,752) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 4,351/female 6,607) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Death rate [time series]

7.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 79

Ethnic groups [time series]

mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 132 male: 18.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.28 years country comparison to the world: 82 male: 72.25 years female: 78.38 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: NA total population: 97.3% male: 97.5% female: 97.1% (2000 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 37.8 years male: 36 years female: 39.5 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Net migration rate [time series]

9.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Population [time series]

103,065 country comparison to the world: 193 note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2009 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.478% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 80.8%, Evangelist 4.1%, Protestant 2.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Methodist 1.2%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 211

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas