# Aruba

> Caribbean island constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

**Wikidata**: [Q21203](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21203)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruba)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aruba

## Summary

Aruba was established on January 1, 1986. As of 2022, it has a population of 107k[1]. The country spans an area of 178.9. Aruba operates under the Atlantic Time Zone, also denoted as America/Aruba, and UTC−04:00.

## Summary
Aruba is a Caribbean island and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, officially separating from the Netherlands Antilles on January 1, 1986. It operates as an autonomous entity with its own government and constitution while retaining ties to the Dutch Crown for defense and foreign affairs. Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, the island has a population of approximately 106,739 (2022) and uses Oranjestad as its capital.

## Key Facts
- **Sovereignty:** Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (status effective January 1, 1986).
- **Location:** Southern Caribbean Sea; part of the Lesser Antilles and Dutch Caribbean; geographically associated with South America (preferred) and North America.
- **Capital:** Oranjestad.
- **Area:** 178.916378 square kilometers.
- **Population:** 106,739 (2022 census); 109,241 (2019 census).
- **Coordinates:** 12.51106253° N, 69.97422388° W.
- **Government Type:** Monarchy.
- **Head of State:** William Alexander of the Netherlands (King of the Netherlands).
- **Head of Government:** Evelyn Wever-Croes (Prime Minister, since November 17, 2017).
- **Legislature:** Estates of Aruba.
- **Official Languages:** Dutch and Papiamento.
- **Currency:** Aruban florin (introduced in 1986).
- **Time Zone:** Atlantic Time Zone (UTC−04:00).
- **Driving Side:** Right.
- **ISO Codes:** AW (Alpha-2), ABW (Alpha-3), 533 (Numeric).
- **Telephone Code:** +297.
- **Top-Level Domain:** .aw.
- **Emergency Number:** 911.
- **Electrical Standards:** 127 volts, 60 Hz; plug types NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15.
- **GDP:** $3,126,019,385 USD (2021).
- **Literacy Rate:** 98% (2018).
- **Life Expectancy:** 75.867 years (2016).
- **Total Fertility Rate:** 1.657 (2014).
- **Highest Point:** Mount Jamanota.
- **Patron Saint:** Saint David.
- **Anthem:** "Aruba Dushi Tera".
- **International Memberships:** Interpol (since November 23, 1987); UNESCO (Associate Member since October 20, 1987).

## FAQs
**What is Aruba's political status?**
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, meaning it is an autonomous entity that handles its own internal affairs while the Netherlands is responsible for defense and foreign relations. It obtained this status, often referred to as "Status Aparte," on January 1, 1986, after separating from the Netherlands Antilles.

**Where is Aruba located geographically?**
Aruba is an island situated in the southern Caribbean Sea and is part of the Lesser Antilles. It lies geographically on the South American continental shelf, shares a maritime border with the Venezuelan state of Falcón, and is considered part of the Dutch Caribbean region.

**What languages are spoken in Aruba?**
The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento. English is also widely used, with data indicating approximately 9,000 native speakers and 35,000 second-language speakers.

**What currency and electrical system does Aruba use?**
The official currency is the Aruban florin, which has been in use since 1986. The electrical system operates on 127 volts at 60 Hz using NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types.

**What are the demographics of Aruba?**
As of the 2022 census, the population is 106,739. The population is predominantly of Dutch descent (82.1% based on 2010 data), with significant Colombian (6.6%), Venezuelan (2.2%), and Dominican (2.2%) communities.

**What is the structure of Aruba's government?**
Aruba is a monarchy with a unicameral legislature called the Estates of Aruba. The head of state is the King of the Netherlands, currently Willem-Alexander, and the head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Evelyn Wever-Croes.

## Why It Matters
Aruba holds significant geopolitical importance as a distinct autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, representing a successful model of decolonization and constitutional separation in the Caribbean. Its transition from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 marked a pivotal moment in the political restructuring of the Dutch Caribbean, influencing the constitutional status debates of other islands in the region. Economically, Aruba serves as a critical tourism hub and financial center, with a high literacy rate (98%) and a developed economy that generates over $3 billion in GDP. Its unique cultural blend, reflected in its official recognition of both Dutch and Papiamento, alongside its strategic location near South America, makes it a key point of cultural and economic exchange between the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America.

## Notable For
- **Constitutional Autonomy:** Separated from the Netherlands Antilles on January 1, 1986, becoming a distinct constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- **High Literacy:** Achieves a literacy rate of 98% as of 2018.
- **Unique Demographics:** Has a population where over 82% identified as Dutch in 2010, alongside substantial Colombian and Venezuelan communities.
- **Specific Infrastructure:** Utilizes a 127-volt electrical grid with NEMA 1-15 and 5-15 plugs, distinct from some neighboring regions.
- **International Recognition:** Serves as an associate member of UNESCO and a member of Interpol.
- **Geographical Classification:** Geographically part of the South American continent despite being politically Caribbean.
- **Economic Stability:** Maintains its own central bank and currency (Aruban florin) since 1986.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Aruba is an island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea, specifically within the Lesser Antilles chain. It is geographically part of the South American continent (preferred classification) though also associated with North America. The island is situated in the Southern Caribbean and shares a border with the Venezuelan state of Falcón. Aruba covers a total land area of 178.916378 square kilometers. Its geographic coordinates are 12.51106253° latitude and -69.97422388° longitude. The highest elevation on the island is Mount Jamanota. Aruba is part of the Dutch Caribbean region and is categorized under the CAS countries group.

### Political Status and History
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This political status, known as "Status Aparte," began on January 1, 1986, marking its separation from the Netherlands Antilles, a federation it had been part of from December 15, 1954, to December 31, 1985. Prior to 1954, Aruba was part of the Curaçao and Dependencies (November 20, 1815 – December 15, 1954). The government operates as a monarchy. The head of state is the King of the Netherlands, William Alexander. The head of government is the Prime Minister, a position currently held by Evelyn Wever-Croes since November 17, 2017, succeeding Mike Eman (2009–2017). Legislative power is vested in the Estates of Aruba. Aruba maintains its own distinct international profile, holding memberships in organizations such as Interpol (since November 23, 1987) and UNESCO as an associate member (since October 20, 1987).

### Demographics and Society
The population of Aruba has evolved from 54,208 in 1960 to a preferred census figure of 106,739 in 2022. The population peaked at 109,241 in 2019. Demographic data from 2010 indicates a diverse ethnic composition: 82.1% Dutch, 6.6% Colombian, 2.2% Venezuelan, 2.2% Dominican, and 1.2% Católica. The demonym for residents is "Aruban," with variations in other languages including "arubano" (Spanish masculine singular) and "Arubljani" (Slovenian plural). The society boasts a high literacy rate of 98% (2018). Health indicators include a life expectancy of 75.867 years (2016) and a total fertility rate of 1.657 (2014).

### Economy and Infrastructure
Aruba operates a robust economy with a nominal GDP of approximately $3.13 billion USD as of 2021. The Central Bank of Aruba serves as the nation's central bank. The official currency is the Aruban florin, which was introduced in 1986, replacing the previous currency system. Infrastructure standards include driving on the right side of the road. The electrical grid supplies 127 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz, utilizing NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types. Telecommunications services use the country code +297 and the top-level internet domain .aw. The emergency services number is 911.

### Culture and Symbols
Aruba's national identity is defined by several official symbols. The national anthem is "Aruba Dushi Tera." The patron saint is Saint David. The capital city is Oranjestad. The island uses a specific flag and coat of arms. The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, reflecting the island's colonial heritage and local Creole culture. English is also prevalent, spoken natively by approximately 9,000 people and as a second language by 35,000.

### Identification and Classification
Aruba is classified under various international standards and databases. It is an instance of a "country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands," an "island country," a "federated state," and a "country."
*   **ISO Codes:** Alpha-2: AW; Alpha-3: ABW; Numeric: 533.
*   **Other Codes:** GADM: ABW; WIPO ST.3: AW; IOC: ARU; UN M49: 533; FIPS 10-4: AA; UNDP: ARU.
*   **Database IDs:** GND: 4079840-9; VIAF: 151257487; Library of Congress: n79063420; MusicBrainz: ae8222dd-0b5b-3962-9671-30375b625ce9; Getty TGN: 7004548.
*   **Aliases:** Island of Aruba, Country of Aruba, Isla de Aruba, île d'Aruba, Land Aruba, Ilha de Aruba, アルバ島, 阿鲁巴岛, and others in multiple languages including Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Korean.

## References

1. The World Factbook
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://archive.org/details/BNADIGBUKIARUBIANA0063)
4. [Source](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions/timeline-eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions/)
5. [Source](https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/caribbean/overview)
6. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
7. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/ARUBA)
8. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. FIPS 10-4
11. MusicBrainz
12. World Bank Open Data
13. [Quarterly Demographic Bulletin 3rd Quarter 2022. statistical service](https://cbs.aw/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/QDB0922.pdf)
14. [Source](https://cbs.aw/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/QDB0922.pdf)
15. [Source](https://www.skgeodesy.sk/sk/ugkk/geodezia-kartografia/standardizacia-geografickeho-nazvoslovia/nazvy-statov/)
16. BBC Things
17. [Driving in Aruba](https://www.visitaruba.com/getting-around/driving-in-aruba/)
18. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
19. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
20. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
21. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
22. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
23. English as a Global Language, second edition
24. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
25. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
26. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.LITR.ZS)
27. iNaturalist
28. FactGrid
29. KBpedia