Aruba is a small island country located in the southern Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela. It is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has a population of approximately 110,000 people. The official language is Dutch, but Papiamento, English, and Spanish are also widely spoken.

Aruba is known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular tourist destination. The island's economy relies heavily on tourism, with a focus on beach and water activities, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing. In addition to its beaches, Aruba is also home to unique natural landmarks like the Arikok National Park, which covers nearly 20% of the island and features diverse flora and fauna.

Aruba has a semi-arid climate with hot temperatures and relatively low rainfall. The island is located outside the hurricane belt, which makes it a popular destination for tourists year-round.

Aruba has a parliamentary system of government, with a monarch as the head of state. The Prime Minister is the head of government and holds executive power. Aruba has a high standard of living, and its citizens enjoy a high level of social welfare and education.

Aruba is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Dutch, African, and Caribbean cultures. The island has a rich history, having been inhabited by indigenous peoples and later colonized by the Spanish, Dutch, and British. Aruba gained autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986 and has since been a popular tourist destination and a hub for international trade and commerce.

National holiday
National Anthem and Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

Telephone Code
297

Local Emergency Phone
911

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Tropical marine, little seasonal temperature variation

Currency (Code)
Guilders/florins (AWG); USD accepted

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, F

Major Languages
Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, French, elements of African languages, and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9%, other 12%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Arikok National Park (includes Boca Prins and Natural Pool); California Dunes and Lighthouse; Alto Vista Chapel

Major Sports
Soccer, windsurfing, sailing

Cultural Practices
Wearing swimwear around town is considered rude.

Tipping Guidelines
Some bars and restaurants already add a 10-15% service charge. If you really like the service, you can still tip. Tipping $1-2 (USD) per bag is customary for the bellhops.

Souvenirs
Woodcrafts, leather goods, pottery, jewelry, aloe/skin care products

Traditional Cuisine
Keshi yena — a large portion of cheese that is hollowed out and stuffed with spiced meat and served either steamed or baked

Country code top-level domain
.aw

Geography
Area
total: 180 sq km
land: 180 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Natural resources
NEGL; white sandy beaches foster tourism

People and Society
Population
123,702 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Dutch 78.7%, Colombian 6.6%, Venezuelan 5.5%, Dominican 2.8%, Haitian 1.3%, other 5.1% (2020 est.)

Languages
Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist 0.9%, Adventist 0.9%, Anglican 0.4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate
1.11% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Capital
name: Oranjestad

Economy
Economic overview
small, tourism-dependent, territorial-island economy; very high public debt; COVID-19 crippled economic activity; partial recovery underway via tourism, benefitting from its high amount of timeshare residences; considering reopening oil refinery

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$4.141 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$38,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
aloes; livestock; fish

Industries
tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking

Exports
$2.201 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Malaysia 57%, United States 11%, Netherlands 6%, Jordan 6%, Venezuela 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, liquors, scrap iron, soap, tobacco (2019)

Imports
$1.947 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 48%, Netherlands 16% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, jewelry, cars, vehicle parts, tobacco products (2019)