Where is Aruba?
Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, and is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is a part of the Kingdom of Netherlands and has no administrative subdivisions. It is located 16.7 miles north of the coast of Venezuela and approximately 80 miles east of Guajira Peninsula.
How big is Aruba?
The island of Aruba covers an area of 69 square miles and as of September 2011, had an estimated population of 101,484. It geographic coordinates are 12 30N, 69 58W.
What is the currency of Aruba?
Aruban florin is the currency of Aruba. Its ISO 4217 code is AWG, and it is divided into 100 cents. It was introduced in 1986 and is issued by the Central Bank of Aruba.
What is the capital of Aruba?
Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba. Also known as Playa, it was established in 1796. It is named after the first heir to the Dutch House of Orange, King Willem van Oranje-Nassau. It is located near the western end of the island.
Which is the largest city of Aruba?
Oranjestad is the largest city of Aruba. Its geographic coordinates are 12 31N, 70 02W. As of 2008, the estimated population of the city was 33,000.
What is the official language of Aruba?
Dutch and Papiamento are the official languages of Aruba. Papiamento is a Creole language and is the predominant language on the island. English, Chinese, German, French, and Portuguese are also spoken in Aruba.
What is the religion of Aruba?
Aruba is predominantly a Roman Catholic state. About 82% of the population is Roman Catholic, followed by Protestants (8%). Hindu, Muslim, and Confucianism constitute the remaining population on the island.
What is the literacy rate of Aruba?
The total adult literacy rate of Aruba is 97.3%. Literacy rate for males is 97.5%, while it is 97.1% for females.
Who is the political leader of Aruba?
Queen Beatrix is the head of the state of Netherlands. Fredis Refunjol is the current Governor of Aruba. He assumed office on May 1, 2004. Mike Eman is the current and the 5th Prime Minister of Aruba. He assumed office on October 30,2009.
When is the National Day of Aruba celebrated?
March 18 is celebrated as the National Day of Aruba. It is a special occasion as the nation celebrates the anniversary of the Flag and National Anthem Day.
What is the economy of Aruba like?
Aruba’s economy is heavily dependent upon tourism. In 2007, the GDP and the GDP per capita of the country were $2.400 billion and $21,500 respectively. It has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean area. The unemployment rate stands at 6.9%. Major industries of the country are tourism, transshipment facilities, and oil refining. Major trade flows are with Panama, Colombia, Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela, United States of America, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Interesting facts about Aruba |
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| Fact 1 | It has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. |
| Fact 2 | The perfect spot for authentic Indonesian food? Aruba! |
| Fact 3 | There are over 300 prehistoric pictographs to be discovered on the island. |
| Fact 4 | On a clear day, you can see Venezuela. |
| Fact 5 | Aruba’s the wreck diving capital of the Caribbean. |
| Fact 6 | The tiny island has an internationally-renowned film festival. |
| Fact 7 | Aruba’s white sand beaches are barefoot-friendly, even at high noon. |
| Fact 8 | For over 80 years, Aruba has been a pioneer of purified water technology. |
| Fact 9 | Soccer may be king in most countries, but in Aruba baseball rules. |
| Fact 10 | The best female freestyle windsurfer in the world is Aruban. |
| Fact 11 | Touring Aruba’s “wild-side” will get your goat…and donkey…and ostrich. |
| Fact 12 | Gambling winnings don’t get taxed here. |
| Fact 13 | Nearly 20% of the island is a dedicated national park. |
| Fact 14 | Aruba has the most sunny days of any island in the Caribbean. |
| Fact 15 | The temperature all year around is 82⁰F and low humidity is experienced on the outside fringes of the hurricane belt. |
| Fact 16 | Aruba is home to diverse birdlife, including the burrowing owl “choco” and various species of lizards. Marine life includes several species of coral, sea turtles and tropical fish. |
| Fact 17 | The Arikok Natural Wildlife Park takes up over 20% of the island and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Aruba. |
| Fact 18 | The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin (Afl) or Guilder which is divided into 100 cents |
| Fact 19 | The official languages spoken are Papiamento & Dutch though English and Spanish are also widely spoken and understood. |
| Fact 20 | Aruba is predominantly a Roman Catholic state (82%) while the Protestants are 8% and Hindu, Muslim and Confucianism constitute the remaining population on the island. |
| Fact 21 | The National Day of Aruba is celebrated on March 18. They celebrate the anniversary of the Flag and National Anthem on this day. |
| Fact 22 | Major industries are tourism, transhipment facilities and oil refining. They export live animals, animal products, art and machinery. Imports include food, machinery, crude oil and chemicals. |
| Fact 23 | The highest point is Mount Jamanota at 188 metres or 617 feet. |
| Fact 24 | There are over 1 million tourists or visitors to Aruba every year, making about 75% of the economy in Aruba. Attractions include historical sites, caves, shipwrecks, and beaches. |