Key Facts
- GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
- $21,800 (2004 est.)
- Inflation Rate
- 3.4% (2005)
- Population
- 103,065
- Country Risk Ratings
- -
- Ease of Doing Business
- -/181
- Global Competitiveness
- -/134
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Aruba : Introduction
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.
Capital City:
Oranjestad (-4 GMT)
Currency:
Aruban Florin (AWG)
(convert)
Languages:
Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3%
Calling Code:
297
Voltage:
127
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80.8%, Evangelist 4.1%, Protestant 2.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Methodist 1.2%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6%
- Aruba: Central Bank van Aruba
- The mission of the Central Bank van Aruba is to maintain the internal and external value of the Aruban florin and to promote the soundness and integrity of the Aruban financial system. Also, this institution acts as a finacial advisor to the Aruban Minister of Finance.
Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)
