World Country Guide

General Information

Area
193 sq km (74.5 sq miles).

Population
101,000 (UN official estimate 2000).

Population Density
523.3 per sq km.

Capital
Oranjestad. Population: 20,046 (1991).

Geography
Aruba is the smallest island in the Leeward group of the Dutch Caribbean islands, which also include Bonaire and Curaao. They are popularly known as the ABCs. As the westernmost island of the group, Aruba is the final link in the long Antillean chain, lying 20km (12.5 miles) off the Venezuelan coast. The island is 30km (19.6 miles) long and 9km (6 miles) across at its widest and has a flat landscape dominated by Jamanota Mountain (188m/617ft). The west and southwest coast, known as Palm Beach, boasts 11km (7 miles) of palm-fringed powder-white sands, while in complete contrast the east coast has a desolate, windswept shoreline of jagged rocks carved into weird shapes by the pounding surf.

Government
Dependency of the Netherlands. In 1986 Aruba separated from the rest of the Netherlands Antilles. Head of State: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, represented locally by Governor-General Fredis Refunjol since 2004. Head of Government: Prime Minister Nelson Oduber since 2001.

Language
The official language is Dutch. English and Spanish are also spoken. The islanders also speak Papiemento, which is a combination of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English and Indian languages.

Religion
80 per cent of the population are Roman Catholic.

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD available. Country code: 297. Outgoing international code: 00. Payphones, from which international calls can be made are located all over the island.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800 network. Network operators include Digicel (website: www.digicelaruba.com) and SETAR (tel: 586 7138; website: www.setar.aw). Mobile phones can be hired from SETAR; a deposit and proof of identity are required.

Internet
Internet cafes exist in Oranjestad. Main ISPs include Setarnet (website: www.setarnet.aw).

Fax/Telegram
Most hotels offer fax and telegram services to residents.

Post
Post office hours: 0730-1200 and 1300-1630.

Press
The oldest established newspaper (in Dutch) is Amigoe di Aruba and the English-language papers are Aruba Today, and The News.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.