The Facts

Status: Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Governor: Fredis Refunjol (2004)

Prime Minister: Nelson O. Oduber (2001)

Total area: 75 sq mi (193 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 101,541 (growth rate: 1.5%); birth rate: 12.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 14.2/1000; life expectancy: 75.0; density per sq mi: 969

Capital and largest city (2003 est.):Oranjestad, 20,700

Monetary unit: Aruban guilder/florin

Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento, English, Spanish

Ethnicity/race: mixed European/Caribbean Indian 80%

Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish

National Holiday: Flag Day, March 18

Literacy rate: 97% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: 

GDP/PPP(2004 est.): $2.13 billion; per capita $21,800. 

Real growth rate: 3.5%.Inflation: 3.8% (2005 est.).

Unemployment: 7.3%. 

Arable land:11% aloe plantations included (0.01%).

Agriculture: aloes; livestock; fish.

Labor force: 41,500 (2004 est.); most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining. 

Industries:tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining. 

Natural resources: negl.; white sandy beaches. 

Exports: $80 million f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2004 est.): live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment. 

Imports: $875 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs. 

Major trading partners:Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela, Netherlands Antilles, Colombia, U.S. (2004).

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