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Country Guide > Caribbean > Aruba | |
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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 Curaçao. 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 peculiar 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. There are also Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian and Jewish communities present. 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 operated by New Millennium Telecom Services (NMTS). GSM 900/1900 network operated by SETAR (website: www.setar.aw). SETAR are also planning a GSM 1800 service. Internet Internet cafes are available throughout the island at around US$5 per hour There are also WIFI hotspots. The only ISP is SETAR (website: http://123.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. |
