| Constitutional Form | Aruba has a constitutional monarchy (as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) with a parliamentary democracy. The Governor of Aruba is appointed by the Monarch and has a symbolic role. The 21 members of the parliament (legislative branch) are elected by direct popular vote for a four year period. The 8 members of the council of ministers (executive branch) are appointed by the Parliament. The judges in the judicial branch is appointed by the Monarch. |
| Area | Aruba is 6 miles across and 19.6 miles long with a total area of 77 Square miles (180 Square kilometers) |
| Geographical Position | Aruba is part of the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea, and lies about 12 degrees north of the equator, approximately 29km (18 miles) off the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela |
| Time Zone | Atlantic Standard Time (AST)Time Zone - year round (the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time) |
| Capital | Oranjestad |
| Population | 99,109 (2004) (*); 102,149 (2005) (*) |
| Life expectancy | 74 years (1995) |
| Literacy rate | 97% (1995) |
| Temperature | Average of 82°F (27°C) |
| Rainfall | Average of 400mm per year |
| Language | Papiamento (official), Dutch, English, Spanish |
| Used measure system | Metric |
| Head of State | The Governor of Aruba - Mr. F. Refunjol |
| Prime Minister | Mr. Mike G. Eman |
| Governing Political Parties | Partido Di Pueblo Arubano (AVP) |
| Economic Activities | Mainly tourism, banking and transportation. The goods presently manufactured locally are semi finished petroleum products, paint and paint products, aloe-based skin care products, plastic bags, soaps and disinfectants, printed textiles, mattresses, rice products, refined sugar, beer and condiments. |
| Currency | Aruban Florin (AWG) and US$ is widely accepted |
| Exchange Rate | AWG 1.80 = US$ 1.00
(more information on exchange rate www.cbaruba.org ) |
| Airport | International Airport Queen Beatrix |
| Major Airlines | NORTH AMERICA American Airlines, US Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada, Air Transet, Skyservice EUROPE KLM, ArkeFly, First Choice, Martin Air CARIBBEAN Tiara Air, Dutch Antilles Express, Insel Air, Amercian Eagle LATIN AMERICA Avianca, Venezolana, SAM Aires, Avior, Aeropostal, Aserca, Aires, Copa Airlines, SLM |
| Major Sea Ports | Oranjestad, San Nicolas (Valero Refinery) , Barcadera |
| Business Hours | 8am-4pm |
| Store Hours | 8am-6pm |
| Official Holiday | January 1
January 25
Date varies per year
March 18
Date varies per year Date varies per year
April 30
May 1
Date varies per year December 25
December 26 | New Year’s Day
G.F. Betico Croes Day
Carnaval Monday
National Flag and Anthem Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Queen's Day
Labor Day
Ascension Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day |
| Electricity Power System | 110-127 Volt, 60 cycles. (North American voltage standard). The TV standard is NTSC,so your home video camera will also play back. Most houses have 220V for air conditioning |
