Careers, Jobs and Education Resources for: Aruba

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. (from the CIA)
 
 
 

Economic Overview

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. the rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. over 1.5 million tourists per year visit aruba, with 75% of those from the us. construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. in addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993, providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 september 2001 attacks. the island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the caribbean. the government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.

Environmental Issues

Na

Government Type

Parliamentary democracy

Population

101,541 note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-1999 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (july 2008 est.)

Location

Caribbean, island in the caribbean sea, north of venezuela

Area

Total: 193 sq km land: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km

Slightly larger than washington, dc

Country Aliases

Conventional long form: none conventional short form: aruba

Capital

Name: oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 n, 70 02 w time difference: utc-4 (1 hour ahead of washington, dc during standard time)

International Disputes

None

Sources: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)