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An island in the Caribbean about 50 kilometers north of Venezuela. It is 32 kilometers long with an area of 193 square kilometers, equivalent to almost 14 by 14 kilometers or 8.7 by 8.7 miles. It is outside the hurricane belt and with beautiful beaches. Capital: Oranjestad.
Acquired by the Dutch in 1636. In 1986 seceded from the Netherlands Antilles. Became an autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Unicameral legislature, with 21 seats and members elected by direct popular vote for four-year terms.
In 1942 an attack was launched from the German submarine (U-156) against the oil refinery on the island - a supplier of oil to the Allies. U.S. troops were stationed on the island during World War II.
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
Estimated per capita GDP estimated for 2004: $21,800; 2002 was $28,000
Factbook: "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 exceptionally 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."
Passing through the island, unseen, are drugs on their way to the United States. And some prostitutes pass through on their way to Europe.
Estimated for 2008: Deaths 7.65, up from 6.57 in 2005
Births
12.81, up from 11.26 in 2005
Estimate for July 2008 101,541, up from 100,018 in 2007 and 71,566 in 2005. Growth rate estimated for 2008: 1.501 percent per year.
Density estimated for 2006 is 1,479 persons per square mile.
Migration estimated for 2008
More arriving than leaving, a net gain of 9.85 per 1,000 population.
Infant mortality: 14.26, down from 14.75 in 2007 (deaths before the age of one year, per 1,000 live births).
Average life expectancy estimated for 2008: 75.06 years, up from 74.83 in 2007.
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.