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An Ontario Vacation
The uniqueness of Canada's provinces makes each one worth visiting. Whether you like to ski or swim, fish or golf, visit national monuments or museums, Canada has it all in one beautiful, thirteen-province country. One of the most popular travel...
Disgusting sex tourists like Bob Kelly no longer welcome in DR
Bob Kelly, a retired insurance salesman, who claims (in his recent article on the GoArticles site) to enjoy "traveling to exotic and interesting tropical destinations" – has recently published some disparaging and ill-informed things about the new...
Fuerteventura - a beach lover's paradise
Fuerteventura - blessed with over 150 beaches - is one of the least spoiled and the least discovered of the Canary Islands.
With a dramatic volcanic landscape, little rainfall and all year round warm temperatures, the desert landscape is unique...
Top Holiday Destinations 2005
Copyright 2005 Hugh Griffin
Spain and France are still the top holiday destinations for British tourists. However recent statistics show that tourism in Eastern Europe is rising sharply. In particular the number of trips to Poland and Bulgaria has...
Western Kilimanjaro to Southern Serengeti
This safari is centered on the plains of Western Kilimanjaro and then moves across to the remote Southern Serengeti. Western Kilimanjaro camp is set in a private concession which means just that - it is private and not a public park. It covers...
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Aruba
Aruba
Geography
Aruba is an island in the West Indies, in the Caribbean Sea, near the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela. An integral part of the Netherlands, Aruba was a member of the Netherlands Antilles until 1986. Aruba is about 30 km (about 19 mi) long and about 8 km (about 5 mi) wide, and has an area of 193 sq km (about 75 sq mi). The population of Aruba at the 1991 census was 66,687, giving the island an overall population density of about 342 persons per sq km (about 889 per sq mi). Oranjestad (population, 1991 estimate, 20,000) is the capital and main town. Sint Nicolaas, the site of an oil refinery, has a population of about 17,000.
Economy
Until the mid-1980s, the refining of Venezuelan oil was the main source of employment in Aruba. In 1984, the petroleum refining industry accounted for 25 percent of the island's gross national product. When the refinery closed in 1985, many Arubans lost their jobs and experienced a drastic reduction in their standard of living. Rehabilitation of the refining industry began in 1989 and in 1993; the refinery's daily output was 140,000 barrels. The island now depends
mostly on tourism and the service industries related to tourism, cooperating with the Netherlands Antilles to attract visitors. Some light industry produces tobacco, beverages, and consumer goods. Aruba's principal port is Oranjestad and the island's international airport is located nearby. The island's unit of currency is the Aruban guilder or gulden.
Political Information
In 1986, Aruba became an autonomous and self-governing entity. The official head of government is the Dutch monarch, represented by an appointed governor. The governor is responsible for all external affairs. The prime minister nominates a council of ministers and together they are responsible for the island's internal executive functions. Popularly elected officials fill the 21 seats of the legislature, called the Staten. The Court of First Instance and a court of appeal comprise Aruba's judiciary. Defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands. The University of Aruba (1970) is located in Oranjestad.
About the Author
For more information visit www.ArubaInfoCenter.com
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