Location
Aruba is part of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea Located 27 km (17 mi) north of Venezuela Together with Curaçao and Bonaire it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles

Size
Total area is 193 sq. km (74.5 sq. miles).

History
Aruba's first inhabitants are thought to have been Caquetios Amerinds from the Arawak tribe, who migrated there from Venezuela. Europeans first learned of Aruba when Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda came across it in 1499. Aruba was colonized by Spain for over a century. Aruba has been under Dutch administration since 1636, initially under Peter Stuyvesant. The United Kingdom occupied Aruba for several brief periods. During WWII, together with Curacao, they were the main suppliers of refined products to the Allies. On Feb. 16, 1942, its oil processing refinery was attacked by a German submarine but miraculously, the mission failed. American troops were stationed in Aruba. Aruba gained independence from the Netherlands Antilles January 1, 1986. The island's economy has been dominated by five main industries: gold mining, phosphate mining, aloe export, petroleum refineries and tourism.

Population
104,494

Capital
Oranjestad located on the west side of the island towards the north.

Government
As a Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba's politics take place within a framework of a 21-member Parliament and an eight-member Cabinet. The governor of Aruba is appointed for a six-year term by the monarch, and the prime minister and deputy prime minister are elected by the Staten for four-year terms. The Staten is made up of 21 members elected by direct, popular vote to serve a four-year term. Together, the State of the Netherlands, the State of the Netherlands Antilles, and the State of Aruba form a Commonwealth.

Language
Official language is Dutch but the cultural mixture has given rise to a linguistic mixture known as Papiamento and is recognized as an official language in Aruba.

Climate
Average annual temperature is 82 degrees F. The average annual rainfall is less than 20 inches per year and occurs in showers of short duration during the months of November & December. Aruba is outside the hurricane belt.

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
Average annual temperature is 82 degrees F. The average annual rainfall is less than 20 inches per year and occurs in showers of short duration during the months of November & December. Aruba is outside the hurricane belt.

Airports
Queen Beatrix International Airport, approximately 8 minutes from Oranjestad, the capital

Currency
The Aruban florin (AWG)

Electricity
Electricity is supplied at a 60-hertz frequency, and at 127 and 220 volts.

Time zone
GMT-4

Driving
On the right.

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The Official Tourism Website of the Aruba Tourism Authority
www.aruba.com