What is the capital of Aruba?

Capital	Oranjestad
Government Type	parliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Currency	Aruban guilders/florins
Total Area	69 Square Miles 180 Square Kilometers
Location	The Caribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Language	Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
GDP - real growth rate	2.4%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$25,300.00 (USD)

What is the population of Aruba?

Ethnic Group - note	data represent population by nationality
Ethnic Groups	Dutch 78.7%, Colombian 6.6%, Venezuelan 5.5%, Dominican 2.8%, Haitian 1.3%, other 5.1%
Languages	Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4%
Nationality Noun	noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Population	125,063
Population Growth Rate	1.08%
Population in Major Urban Areas	30,000 ORANJESTAD (capital)
Urban Population	urban population: 44.3% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.77% annual rate of change
Population: Male/Female	male: 59,101 female: 65,962

What type of government does Aruba have?

Executive Branch	chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT (since 1 January 2017) head of government: Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES (since 17 November 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Legislature (Staten) elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Staten for 4-year term; election last held on 25 June 2021 (next to be held by June 2026) election results: as leader of the majority party of the ruling coalition, Evelyn WEVER-CROES (MEP) elected prime minister; percent of Staten vote - NA
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Citizenship	see the Netherlands
National Holiday	National Anthem and Flag Day, 18 March (1976)
Constitution	history: previous 1947, 1955; latest drafted and approved August 1985, enacted 1 January 1986 (regulates governance of Aruba but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands); in 1986, Aruba became a semi-autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Independence	none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

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What environmental issues does Aruba have?

Climate	Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Environment - Current Issues	NA
Terrain	Flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

How big is the Aruba economy?

Economic Overview	Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Tourism accounts for a majority of economic activity; as of 2017, over 2 million tourists visited Aruba annually, with the large majority (80-85%) of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom, especially in the hospitality sector. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to improve its trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers. In 2016, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and the Government of Aruba signed an agreement to restart Valero Energy Corp.'s former 235,000-b/d refinery. Tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban Government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector continues to be a strong sector; unemployment has significantly decreased.
Industries	Tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking
Currency Name and Code	Aruban guilders/florins
Export Partners	Colombia 28.2%, Netherlands Antilles 18.1%, United States 14.3%, Netherlands 10.1%, Mexico 6.5%, Venezuela 6.3%, Panama 4.1%
Import Partners	United States, 55.4%, Netherlands 11.2%

What current events are happening in Aruba?
Source: Google News

What makes Aruba a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Aruba is a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The economy is well-developed and tourist facilities are widely available.

Crime

The crime threat in Aruba is generally considered low, although travelers should always take precautions when in unfamiliar surroundings. There have been incidents of theft from hotel rooms and vehicles. Armed robberies have been known to occur. Valuables left unattended on beaches, in cars, and in hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft. Jewelry, phones, cameras, and other electronics are the most commonly stolen items. Be especially observant when visiting isolated areas.

Car theft, especially of rental vehicles for joyriding and stripping, can occur. Vehicle leases or rentals may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen or damaged. Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles, jet skis, and other items.

We recommend that visitors take additional precautions when visiting the entertainment district of San Nicolas. Due to the popularity of this area with tourists, many petty crimes are reported in this area.

Parents of young travelers should be aware that the legal drinking age of 18 is not always enforced in Aruba, so extra parental supervision may be appropriate. Young travelers in particular are urged to take the same precautions they would when going out in the United States, e.g. to travel in pairs or in groups if they choose to frequent Aruba’s nightclubs and bars, and if they opt to consume alcohol, to do so responsibly. Anyone who is a victim of a crime should make a report to Aruban police, as well as report it immediately to the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao. Do not rely on hotel/restaurant/tour company management to make the report for you.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Languages

Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4%

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical care is generally considered to be good in Aruba. There is one hospital, Dr. H.E. Oduber Hospital, whose medical standards can be favorably compared to a small hospital in the U.S. The hospital has tiered health care, and accommodations will vary depending on insurance and the ability to pay. There is a small medical center in San Nicolas. Please be aware that there is no decompression chamber available on the island. We urge caution for scuba divers since persons suffering from decompression sickness have to be medically evacuated for proper treatment. The many drug stores, or “boticas”, provide prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Visitors will need a local prescription, and may not be able to find medications available in the United States. Emergency services are usually quick to respond. Aruba is only about 14 degrees from the equator, so the solar radiation is very strong. Sunscreen is recommended anytime you are outside during the day.

Safety and Security

There are no known terrorist or extremist groups, or areas of instability on Aruba, although drug trafficking organizations do operate on the island.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Aruba is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate for a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Aruba is on the right-hand side of the road (as in the U.S.). Local laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and motorcyclists to wear helmets. Children under 5 years of age should be in a child safety seat; older children should ride in the back seat. Right turns at red lights are prohibited on Aruba.

Aruba's main thoroughfare, L.G. Smith Boulevard, is well lit, and most hotels and tourist attractions can be easily located. There are speed limits on Aruba, and driving while intoxicated may result in the loss of a driver’s license, fine, and/or imprisonment. However, these are not consistently enforced. Drivers should be alert at all times for speeding cars and drunk drivers, which have caused fatal accidents. In the interior areas of the island, drivers should be alert for goats or other animals that may cross the roads unexpectedly. Buses provide convenient and inexpensive service to and from many hotels and downtown shopping areas. Taxis, while relatively expensive, are safe and well regulated. As there are no meters, passengers should negotiate a price before entering the taxi.

The emergency service telephone number is 911. Police and ambulances tend to respond quickly to emergency situations.