World Atlas: Aruba. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Aruba.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Aruba. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Aruba. But let's start with the flag of Aruba here:
Aruba - Overview:
What you should know about Aruba? Let's start with this: 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 of Aruba
Where on the globe is Aruba? The location of this country is Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela. Total area of Aruba is 180 sq km, of which 180 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation. The lowest point of Aruba is Caribbean Sea 0 m, the highest point Ceru Jamanota 188 m. And the climate is tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.
Inhabitants of Aruba
Let's take a look how many people live in Aruba. The number is: 115,120 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? Dutch 82.1%, Colombian 6.6%, Venezuelan 2.2%, Dominican 2.2%, Haitian 1.2%, other 5.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.). What are the languages in Aruba? Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.). And the religions: Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist 0.9%, Adventist 0.9%, Anglican 0.4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.). How old are the people in average? 39.3 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 76.9 years. Where the people live in Aruba? Here: most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island. The major urban areas of Aruba are: Oranjestad (capital) 29,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of Aruba
The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad and the government type parliamentary democracy (Legislature); part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands). Regarding the economy of Aruba, important industrial products are tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking. Important agricultural products are aloes; livestock; fish. The most important export commodities are live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment and the most important export partners are Colombia 23.4%, US 19.8%, Netherlands 16.9%, Venezuela 13.9% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and electrical equipment, refined oil for bunkering and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs and the most important import partners are US 55.4%, Netherlands 12.6% (2016). How rich is Aruba and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $25,300 (2011 est.). This means the living standards are good here. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: NA%.