| | Aruba
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| Geography |
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Aruba is an island located in the Caribbean Sea, located in the north of Venezuela, Falcon state and Paraguana Peninsula. It is situated within the kingdom of Netherlands. It has a costal line of about 68.5 Km. Geologically Aruba is flat with a few hills and has scant vegetation. It is riverless island in the Leeward Antilles island arc of the Lesser Antilles. The lowest point is the Caribbean Sea with 0m and highest is Mount Jamanota at 188m.
Aruba is well known for its white, sandy beaches on the western and southern coasts of the island relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents. Natural resources are NEGL and the white sandy beaches. |
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Climate |
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| Aruba has a dry and an arid climate with cactus-strewn landscape, very much unlike the Caribbean region. The climate is generally tropical marine with little seasonal temperature variation. The isothermal temperature of Aruba's pleasantly tropical marine climate attracts tourists to the island. Temperature varies little from 28 °C, moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. The leeward side of the island provides better weather and enjoyment of beaches and ocean, the reason why most of the hotels are located here. |
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| History |
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| Caquetios Amerindians from the Arawak tribe were the first inhabitants, who migrated there from Venezuela to escape attacks by the Caribs. Europeans first came to know of Aruba when Amerigo Vespucci and Alsonso De Ojeda came across it in August 1499. For over a century Aruba was colonized by Spain. Since 1636,Aruba has been under Dutch administration. From the years 1799 to 1802, and from 1805 to 1816 Britain occupied Aruba. In the year 1933 Aruba sent its first petition for its separate status and autonomy to the Queen. |
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| People |
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Aruba was saved from plantation and the economics of the slave trade because of scanty rainfall. Aruba's population can be classified as 80% mestizo, mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian and 20% other ethnicities. The religious groups can be defined as Roman Catholic with 82% of the population, Protestant with 8% and other with 10% which includes Hindu, Confucian, Jewish and Muslim.
The language used are Papiamento an official language which is a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect, evolving through centuries and used by 66.3% of the inhabitants , Spanish by 12.6%, English which is widely spoken by 7.7%, Dutch which is also the official language by 5.8%, other languages by 2.2% of the natives and unspecified or unknown languages by 5.3%
Most of the population is of Arawak descent and some are descendent of Spanish, Italian and Dutch and a few French, British and African ancestors.
Aruba celebrates its National Day on 18th March. Aruba presented its National Anthem "Aruba Dushi Tera" and Flag in 1976. Aruba enjoys a mixed culture, as there is a collaboration of descents from various regions. Tourists from the United States have also influenced the culture to some extent with celebrations such as Halloween and Thanksgiving Day in November. |
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| Economics |
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Tourism dominates the economic sector, offshore banking, oil refining and storage also plays vital role in boosting the economy. There has been substantial expansion of other activities because of the rapidly growing tourism sector for example, construction is booming with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. With the reopening of the Oil refinery in 1993, there has been a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth.
Major employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants, and a very good number in oil refining sector. It has low unemployment rate and less poverty.
The primary export commodities are live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment. |
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| Politics |
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Aruba follows the framework of parliamentary democracy, with 21 members. It is a member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it has full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles and the Dutch Government is responsible for defense and foreign affairs. Aruba has no administrative subdivision.
The chief of the state is Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands since 1980, who is represented by the Governor. Prime Minister is the head of the government. The cabinet consists of the cabinet of ministers who are elected by the Staten. Monarchy is hereditary. The governor general is appointed for a six-year term by the monarch The Prime Minister and the deputy prime minister is elected by the Staten for four-year terms.
Capital: Oranjestad
Governor: Fredis Refunjol
Prime Minister: Nelson O. Oduber
Aruba maintains one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean region and the lowest crime rate. |
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