An autonomous region within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba has no administrative subdivisions. Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm, sunny weather. It has a land area of 193 km2 (75 sq mi) and lies outside the hurricane belt.
Aruba is an island in the Caribbean Sea, just a short distance north of the Venezuelan Paraguaná Peninsula, and it forms a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is very dry, with little of the tropical vegetation that many expect in the Caribbean.Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles on January 1, 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.
Head of state is the ruling monarch of the Netherlands, who is represented in Aruba by a governor, appointed for a six-year term. The head of government is the prime minister who forms, together with the Council of Ministers, the executive branch of the government.
They are elected by the parliament, the unicameral Legislature or Staten, which holds 21 seats. Members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms.
Geography of Aruba
Aruba is a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches. Its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius. The highest point in Aruba is Mount Jamanota, at 188 m above sea level.
As a separate part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the island has no administrative subdivisions. On the east are Curaçao and Bonaire, which form the southwest part of the Netherlands Antilles.
The local climate is a pleasant tropical marine clime.
Little seasonal temperature variation exists, which helps Aruba to be able to
attract tourists all year round.
Image:Aruba_map.png
Economy of Aruba
About half of the Aruban Gross National Product is earned with tourism or related activities. Most of the tourists are from the Americas, notably the United States which is the country's largest trading partner.
Aruba receives large amounts of development aid from the Dutch government each year.
The Aruban guilder has a fixed exchange rate with the United States dollar of 1.79:1.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Aruba
A large part of the Arubans descends from the African slaves that were brought and traded here from the 17th to 19th century, although they have mixed with the native Indian population.
Although the official language is Dutch, Papiamento is predominant. This creole language is formed from elements of Dutch, English, Spanish and Portuguese. Spanish and English are also spoken.
The majority of the population are followers of the Christian belief, mostly Roman Catholic.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Aruba
The origins of the population and location of the island give Aruba a mixed culture. Dutch influence is can still be seen, even though not much of the population is of Dutch origin. Tourism from the United States has recently also increased the importance of American culture. Queen Beatrix International Airport, located near Orenjastad, Aruba, currently serves the whole island of Aruba. This airport has access to various cities across the eastern U. S., from Texas to New York.
The
holiday of Carnival is, like in many Caribbean and Latin American countries, an
important one. There are several known caves in Aruba, all of which are located
in the Arikok National Park.
Children explore the Guadirikiri Cave.
The Guadirikiri Cave (also Quadirikiri) is notable for its two dome chambers which are illuminated with sunlight through holes in the ceiling. This 98-foot (30 m)-long cave is also a nesting site for nocturnal bats. Arikok National Park, located on the island of Aruba, is a preserve of desert resources, including several indigenous species.
The National Park takes up approximately 18 percent of the island, including three primary geological formations, the Aruba lava formation, a quartz diorite formation, and a limestone formation that extends inward from the coast. These formations have directly influenced Aruba's human settlement, as well as its natural wonders.
Aruba is home to several species which only live on the island, including two unique species of snake and two bird species. Rock outcroppings also create micro-climatic conditions to support these unique plant and animal species, as well as settlements. These are located within the Arikok National Park almost exclusively. Inside the park are some of the island's oldest Arawak paintings, and has since drawn attention from the government.
The two snake species are the cascabel (Crotalus durissus uni-color), and the santanero (Leptodeira bakeri), called the (Aruban) Baker's cat-eyed snake. The shoco (Athene cunicu-laria arubensis), known as the Aruban burrowing owl, and the prikichi (Aratinga pertinax arubensis), the Aruban parakeet. Another indigenous species, the kododo blauw (Cnemido- phorus arubensus) is the Aruban whiptail lizard.
First designated as an important national area in the 1980s, Arikok National Park is home to popular hiking trails, covering all kinds of terrain from hills to gold mines, and even plantation ruins. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) is a Caribbean based joint-coalition of 33 independent: committees, boards, consuls, authorities and organisations involved in tourism throughout Central America, the Caribbean basin, South America and Bermuda. The head office of the origanisation is based in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The body is primarily involved in the joint promotion and marketing of Caribbean tourist destinations in North America and Europe.
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