Discover Fascinating Aruba Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Aruba.

Aruba

Background

🌍 Fun Facts About Aruba 🌴

  • 1499: Aruba was discovered and claimed for Spain! πŸ΄β€β˜ οΈ
  • 1636: The Dutch acquired Aruba, making it part of their kingdom. πŸ‡³πŸ‡±
  • 1986: Aruba became a separate and semi-autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after seceding from the Netherlands Antilles. πŸŽ‰
  • 1990: Aruba requested to halt movement toward full independence. 🀝

Aruba has a rich history filled with exciting changes and decisions that shaped its journey over the centuries! πŸ“œβœ¨

Year Aruba was discovered

1499

Year Aruba was acquired by the Dutch

1636

Year Aruba became semi-autonomous

1986

Year Aruba halted movement toward full independence

1990

Exports - commodities

In 2022, Aruba had some exciting exports that contributed to its economy! 🍍✨ Here’s a quick look at some of the key commodities exported from this beautiful island:

  • Tobacco 🌿
  • Liquor 🍹
  • Refined Petroleum πŸ›’οΈ
  • Scrap Iron πŸ”©
  • Orthopedic Appliances 🦴

These commodities showcase the diversity of Aruba's export market!

Exports - partners

🌍 Let's Explore Aruba's Export Partners! 🌍
In 2022, Aruba had a diverse range of export partners, highlighting its global trade connections. Here’s how the exports break down:

  • πŸ‡¨πŸ‡΄ Colombia: 40%
  • πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States: 12%
  • πŸ‡―πŸ‡΄ Jordan: 11%
  • πŸ‡¬πŸ‡Ύ Guyana: 8%
  • πŸ‡³πŸ‡± Netherlands: 6%

This pie chart helps visualize the proportions of each partner country in Aruba's exports! 🍰

Total Export Partners

5

Largest Export Partner

Colombia

Smallest Export Partner

Netherlands

Aruba's Export Partners in 2022

40121186
  • Colombia
  • United States
  • Jordan
  • Guyana
  • Netherlands

Capital

Welcome to Oranjestad! 🌴✨ This vibrant city is not just the capital of Aruba, but also a charming hub of culture and beauty. From colorful Caribbean architecture to sunny beaches, Oranjestad has a lot to offer visitors and residents alike. Whether you’re exploring the local shops or enjoying the delicious cuisine, there’s always something exciting happening in this lively capital!

Imports - commodities

Aruba enjoys a vibrant market with a variety of imports! 🌍 Here’s a fun look at the main commodities imported by Aruba in 2022:

  • Refined Petroleum : This is a significant player in Aruba's imports, contributing to energy needs! ⚑
  • Crude Petroleum : Along with refined, crude petroleum is crucial for the country's energy landscape! β›½
  • Tobacco : For those who enjoy a smoke, tobacco imports feature on the list! 🚬
  • Jewelry : Adding a sparkle to Aruba's imports, jewelry is loved by both locals and tourists! πŸ’
  • Other Foods : There's always something tasty coming in from around the world! 🍽️

Aruba's import scene shows just how diverse and reliant it is on global trade! 🌐

Main import categories

Refined Petroleum, Crude Petroleum, Tobacco, Jewelry, Other Foods

Climate

Aruba enjoys a tropical marine climate! 🌴 This means that the weather is warm and sunny throughout the year, with little seasonal temperature variation. So if you love beach days and sunshine, Aruba is the place to be! β˜€οΈπŸ–οΈ

Executive branch

πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ό Aruba's Executive Branch πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ό

Aruba has a unique governance structure! The chief of state is none other than King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands πŸ‘‘, who has held the title since 30 April 2013.

He is represented on the island by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT, who stepped into his role on 1 January 2017.

The head of the government is Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES, who has been leading since 17 November 2017. This makes her a key figure in Aruba's daily governance and future planning! 🌟

Isn't it interesting to see how leadership is structured in Aruba? Each role plays a vital part in the island's path forward!

King's Term Start Date

30 April 2013

Governor General's Start Date

1 January 2017

Prime Minister's Start Date

17 November 2017

Legislative branch

Aruba has an interesting unicameral Legislature, which means it has only one chamber! πŸ›οΈ This chamber consists of 21 seats, where representatives gather to make decisions and discuss important matters for the island. Isn't it cool how a single group handles all the legislative tasks? πŸŽ‰

Total Seats in Legislature

21

Natural resources

Aruba is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, which play a crucial role in attracting tourists. πŸŒ΄πŸ–οΈ Although the natural resources of the island are minimal, the stunning coastline is a key feature that brings visitors from all around the world! This natural beauty not only offers a paradise for sun-seekers but also fosters economic growth through tourism. 🌍✨

Economic overview

🌴 Aruba has a small, tourism-dependent economy that's really unique! πŸ–οΈ Tourism is super important because it helps drive the economy. However, the country has faced some tough challenges like very high public debt πŸ’Έ and the impact of COVID-19, which seriously affected economic activities.

But there's some good news! 🌞 Recovery is on the way, thanks to tourism coming back, especially with all the lovely timeshare residences available for visitors. 🏘️ Plus, Aruba is even considering reopening its oil refinery, which could be another boost for the economy! 🚧

Overall, Aruba is on its way to bouncing back stronger than ever! πŸ’ͺ

Public Debt Status

Very High

Impact of COVID-19 on Economy

Crippled Economic Activity

Recovery Status

Partial Recovery Underway

Tourism Role

Dependent on Tourism

Timeshare Residences

High Amount Available

Government type

πŸ›οΈ Aruba has a parliamentary democracy! This means that the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. But here's a fun twist - Aruba is also part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands! 🌍 This special relationship means that while Aruba controls its own local affairs, the Dutch government takes care of things like defense and foreign affairs. It's like being part of a big family with the autonomy to make your own choices! πŸ€πŸ‡§πŸ‡Ά

Government Type

Parliamentary democracy

Kingdom Affiliation

Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Ethnic groups

🌎 Aruba's rich tapestry of cultures is represented through its diverse ethnic groups! Here's how the population breaks down:

  • Dutch: 78.7% πŸ‡³πŸ‡±
  • Colombian: 6.6% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡΄
  • Venezuelan: 5.5% πŸ‡»πŸ‡ͺ
  • Dominican: 2.8% πŸ‡©πŸ‡΄
  • Haitian: 1.3% πŸ‡­πŸ‡Ή
  • Other: 5.1% 🌍

These colorful percentages tell a vibrant story of Aruba's heritage! πŸŽ‰

Total Population Percentage

100%

Ethnic Groups in Aruba (2020)

78.76.65.52.81.35.1
  • Dutch
  • Colombian
  • Venezuelan
  • Dominican
  • Haitian
  • Other

Religions

In the vibrant land of Aruba, the religious landscape is quite colorful! 🌈 According to the latest estimates, the majority of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, making up a whopping 75.3%. That's a really big slice of the pie! 🍰<br><br>Following that, we've got the Protestants, who account for 4.9%. This group includes various denominations such as Methodist, Adventist, and Anglican, each contributing a small part to the overall percentage. Here’s how it breaks down:<br>- Methodist: 0.9%<br>- Adventist: 0.9%<br>- Anglican: 0.4%<br>- Other Protestant: 2.7%<br><br>Next, there are Jehovah's Witnesses, representing 1.7% of the community. Other religions make up about 12%. 🌍 And let’s not forget, 5.5% of people in Aruba identify as having no religion at all! There’s even 0.5% who don’t specify their beliefs. Isn’t that fascinating? πŸ€”

Roman Catholic Percentage

75.3%

Protestant Percentage

4.9%

Jehovah's Witness Percentage

1.7%

Percentage of Other Religions

12%

Percentage of None

5.5%

Unspecified Religion Percentage

0.5%

Religious Distribution in Aruba

75.34.91.7125.50.5
  • Roman Catholic
  • Protestant
  • Jehovah's Witness
  • Other religions
  • None
  • Unspecified

Languages

🌍 Languages Spoken in Aruba πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ό

Aruba is a beautiful island known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture! πŸ–οΈ One of the delightful aspects of this island is its rich linguistic diversity. Let’s dive into the languages you might hear during your visit!

  • Papiamento is the official language and is spoken by a whopping 69.4% of the population! It’s a cool mix of several languages like Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, French, African languages, and Arawak. πŸ—£οΈ
  • Spanish comes next, with 13.7% of the folks using it daily. Β‘Muy bien! πŸŽ‰
  • English is also widely spoken by 7.1% of the people, making it easy for travelers to communicate. πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§
  • Dutch is the official language alongside Papiamento, spoken by 6.1% of the inhabitants. πŸ›οΈ
  • You might also hear Chinese (1.5%), along with some speakers of other languages (1.7%) and a small number of unspecified languages (0.4%).

It’s fascinating to see how these languages reflect the island's history and connections to different cultures! 🌈

Percent of Population Speaking Papiamento

69.4%

Percent of Population Speaking Spanish

13.7%

Percent of Population Speaking English

7.1%

Percent of Population Speaking Dutch

6.1%

Percent of Population Speaking Chinese

1.5%

Percent of Population Speaking Other Languages

1.7%

Percent of Population with Unspecified Languages

0.4%

Language Distribution in Aruba

69.413.77.16.11.51.70.4
  • Papiamento
  • Spanish
  • English
  • Dutch
  • Chinese
  • Other
  • Unspecified

Imports - partners

🌍 Let's dive into Aruba's import partners! In 2022, the country had a diverse range of partners which shows how interconnected the world is! Here’s the breakdown of Aruba's top import partners by percentage:

  • United States: 39% πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
  • Netherlands: 11% πŸ‡³πŸ‡±
  • Guyana: 9% πŸ‡¬πŸ‡Ύ
  • Colombia: 8% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡΄
  • China: 5% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³

This pie chart will help you visualize how these imports stack up against each other! πŸ“ŠπŸ’‘

Total Import Partners Represented

5

Aruba's Import Partners in 2022

3911985
  • United States
  • Netherlands
  • Guyana
  • Colombia
  • China

Population

🌎 Aruba is home to a vibrant population of 125,063 people! That's a lovely little island teeming with life and culture. Imagine all the stories and experiences those residents share daily!

Total Population of Aruba

125,063

Area

🌍 Area of Aruba

Aruba is a small but beautiful island in the Caribbean! Its total area is 180 square kilometers. This space is entirely made up of land, as Aruba has 0 square kilometers of water. That's right; the entire area is solid ground for you to explore!

Whether you're looking to hang out on the sandy beaches or venture into the island's natural parks, Aruba has plenty to offer!

Here’s a quick breakdown of Aruba's area:

  • Total Area: 180 sq km
  • Land Area: 180 sq km
  • Water Area: 0 sq km

Enjoy your adventures on this stunning island! πŸ–οΈ

Total Area of Aruba

180 sq km

Land Area of Aruba

180 sq km

Water Area of Aruba

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

🌍 Let's dive into Aruba's Real GDP (purchasing power parity) over the last few years! This fancy term basically tells us how much goods and services Aruba can produce when adjusting for cost differences. πŸ€“ Here's a quick look:

  • 2020: $3.191 billion πŸ’°
  • 2021: $4.072 billion πŸ“ˆ
  • 2022: $4.498 billion πŸš€

As you can see, Aruba's GDP has been increasing steadily, which is great news for the economy! Let's visualize this growth with a bar chart so we can see how far this little island has come! πŸ“Š

Real GDP in 2020

3.191

Real GDP in 2021

4.072

Real GDP in 2022

4.498

Growth of Aruba's Real GDP (PPP)

202020212022Year02468GDP in Billion USD
  • y

Real GDP per capita

🌴 Aruba is shining bright with its Real GDP per capita! Let's take a look at how the economy has been growing over the years:

  • 2020: $29,900 πŸ’΅
  • 2021: $38,200 🌟
  • 2022: $42,300 πŸš€

As you can see, Aruba saw a fantastic increase from 2020 to 2021 and continued to rise in 2022! Can't wait to see how the island's economy performs next! πŸ“ˆ

Increase from 2020 to 2021

$8,300

Increase from 2021 to 2022

$4,100

Real GDP per capita in Aruba (2020-2022)

202020212022Year015000300004500060000Real GDP per capita
  • y

Imports

🌎 Aruba's imports have been growing over the years! πŸ“ˆ In 2022, Aruba imported a whopping $2.429 billion worth of goods, which is a significant increase from $1.947 billion in 2021 and $1.644 billion in 2020. πŸ“Š Let's dive into the numbers to see how Aruba's import activity has changed over time!

Total Imports in 2022

$2.429 billion

Total Imports in 2021

$1.947 billion

Total Imports in 2020

$1.644 billion

Aruba's Imports Over Time

202020212022Year00.651.31.952.6Value in USD
  • y

Exports

🌍 Aruba's exports are on an exciting journey! In 2022, they reached a whopping $2.853 billion! πŸš€ Let's take a look at how they have grown over the past few years:

  • πŸ“… 2020: $1.444 billion
  • πŸ“… 2021: $2.201 billion
  • πŸ“… 2022: $2.853 billion

Isn't it amazing to see how Aruba's exports have increased steadily? πŸ“ˆ This growth is a great sign for the country's economy!

Export Value in 2022

$2.853 billion

Export Value in 2021

$2.201 billion

Export Value in 2020

$1.444 billion

Aruba's Export Growth (2020-2022)

202020212022Year00.751.52.253Exports in USD
  • y

Population growth rate

Aruba is experiencing a population growth rate of 1.08% in 2024! 🌱 This means that the number of people living in Aruba is slowly increasing each year. Isn't that exciting? 🌍

Population Growth Rate (2024)

1.08%