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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.
2004: $21,800
2002: $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.
Living in an urban area: 47% (2008)
July 2009: 103,065
July 2008: 101,541
July 2007: 100,018
July 2005: 71,566
Density estimated for 2006 is 1,479 persons per square mile.
2009: More arriving than leaving. A net gain of 9.7 per 1,000 population.
2009: 13.79
2008: 14.26
2007: 14.75
2009: 75.28 years
2008: 75.06
2007: 74.83
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Copyright © 2010 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.