Trinidad & Tobago

About Aruba 

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499 ,Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries- a 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by opening in 1924 of oil refinery; the last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Tourism has continued to be the mainstay of the economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage remaining important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities such as construction.

Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 to become a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch Government is responsible for defense and foreign affairs, while the island retained full autonomy in internal affairs. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

Aruba is 193 sq. KM. The climate is tropical marine with little seasonal temperature variation. The population is 70,441.

Capital: Oranjestad

Chief of State: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands represented by Governor General Olindo Koolman

Head of Government: Prime Minister Nelson O. Oduber