Aruba

Aruba is a Caribbean island and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, near the coast of Venezuela, and is part of the Leeward Islands. The island has an area of about 180 square kilometers and a population of roughly 120,000. Oranjestad is the capital and largest city.

Aruba has a generally dry, sunny climate and is known for its white-sand beaches. The terrain is low-lying with rocky coastlines and the Arikok National Park protecting a quarter of the island.

Historically inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples, Aruba became a Dutch possession in the 17th century. It was part of the Netherlands Antilles from 1954 until its dissolution in 2010, and since 1986 Aruba has held a status aparte within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, governing most of its domestic affairs while the Netherlands handles defense and foreign policy.

Government: Aruba has a parliamentary representative democracy. The monarch is the head of state; a governor represents the king, and a prime minister leads a cabinet. The unicameral Estates of Aruba has 21 seats.

Economy: Tourism is the main economic activity, supported by international finance and commerce. The island attracts visitors from the United States, Canada, and Europe with its beaches, hospitality industry, and cruise ship traffic. The Aruban florin (AWG) is the local currency, though the U.S. dollar is widely accepted.

Culture: Official languages are Dutch and Papiamento; English and Spanish are widely used. Public life features a blend of Afro-Caribbean and Dutch influences, with events such as Carnival.