Aruba

1
Aruba
2
Arubas Flag

• Blue represents the sea that surrounds Aruba
• Yellow is the color of abundance, representing
  the island's past and its industries of gold,
  aloe and oil
• Red is for the love each Aruban has for the
  country and the ancient industry of Brazilwood
• White symbolized the snow-white beaches as well
  as the purity of the hearts of Aruba's people who
  strive for justice, order and liberty
• The red star represents the four points of the
  compass, with the island having drawn people from
  around the world and the island itself,
  surrounded by the beautiful blue sea
• Horizontal yellow stripes denote the free and
  separate position Aruba enjoys in the Kingdom of
  the Netherlands

3
Map of Aruba

• The capital city,as well as the largest city in
  Aruba is Oranjestad!! Populated with
  approximately 22,000 people

4
Coat of Arms

• 1. Aloe represents the first source of wealth
  for the island 2. Outline of Hooiberg hill
  symbolizes Aruba arising out of the sea3.
  Handshaske represents the friendly ties Aruba
  maintains with other nations and peoples4. Cog
  symbolizes industry as the islands main source
  of progress5. Cross in the center is the symbol
  of devotion and faith 6. lion atop of the Coat
  of Arms represents power and generousity7.
  laurel leaves are symbols of peace and friendship

Motto One Happy Island
5
Aruban People

• Population 100,018 peopleAge structure
• 0-14 years 19.7
• 15-64 years 70.2
• 65 years and over 10.1
• Religions
• Roman Catholic 82
• Protestant 8,
• Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish, etc 10
• Languages
• Dutch 2.2
• Papiamento 66.3
• English 7.7
• Spanish 12.6
• Literacy
• total population 97.3
• Ethnic groups

6
Economy

• Economic summary GDP/PPP (2004 est.) 2.13
  billion per capita 21,800.
• Real growth rate 2.4.
• Inflation 3.4 (2005 est.).
• Unemployment 6.9.
• Arable land 11 aloe plantations included
  (0.01).
• Agriculture aloes livestock fish.
• Labor force 41,500 (2004 est.) most employment
  is in wholesale and retail trade and repair,
  followed by hotels and restaurants oil refining.
  
• Industries tourism, transshipment facilities,
  oil refining.
• Natural resources negligent, no native NR!!
• Exports 80 million (including oil re-exports)
  (2004 est.) live animals and animal products,
  art and collectibles, machinery and electrical
  equipment, transport equipment.
• Imports 875 million (2004 est.) machinery and
  electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and
  re-export, chemicals foodstuffs.
• Major trading partners Netherlands, Panama,
  Venezuela, Netherlands Antilles, Colombia, U.S.
• Currency Aruban Florin (AWG) (1 Dollar
  1.80AWG)

7
History

• Aruba's first inhabitants were the Caquetios
  Indians from the Arawak tribe, who migrated there
  from Venezuela to escape attacks by the Caribs
• Europeans first learned of Aruba when Amerigo
  Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda came across it in
  August 1499.
• In 1508 Alonso de Ojeda was appointed as Spain's
  first Governor of Aruba, as part of "Nueva
  Andalucia".
• Aruba has been under Dutch administration since
  1647, initially under Peter Stuyvesant. Under the
  Dutch W.I.C. administration, as "New Netherlands
  and Curacao" from 1648-1664 and the Dutch
  government regulations of 1629, also applied in
  Aruba. The Dutch administration appointed an
  Irishman as "Commandeur" in Aruba in 1667.
• Aruba was under British occupation from
  1799-1802, and again from 1805-1816. General
  Francisco de Miranda and a group of 200 freedom
  fighters on their voyage to liberate Venezuela
  from Spain stayed for several weeks in Aruba in
  August 1806.
• During World War II Aruba became a British
  protectorate from 1940-1942 and a U.S.
  protectorate from 1942-1945

8
continued

• On February 16, 1942, its oil processing
  refinery, which was at the time one of the
  largest in the region, was attacked by a German
  submarine (U-156) under the command of Werner
  Hartenstein. Miraculously, the mission failed.
  Aruba's Refinery was the main supplier of oil to
  the Allies at the time. The U-156 was later
  destroyed by a US plane!!
• In August 1947, Aruba presented its first
  "Staatsreglement", for the status of a completely
  autonomous State within the Kingdom of the
  Netherlands, under the authority of the crown,
  which is defined the same as in Britain's Statute
  of Westminster, an equal status of the Dominion
  Parliaments with the British Parliament,
  establishing that the Dominions were under the
  authority of the Crown, and not the government of
  Britain
• In 1972, at a conference in Surinam, Betico Croes
  (MEP) proposed a "sui-generis" Dutch Commonwealth
  of four states Aruba, the Netherlands, Surinam
  and the Netherlands Antilles. Mr. C. Yarzagaray,
  a parliamentary member representing the AVP
  political party proposed a referendum to be held
  in Aruba for the people of Aruba to determine
  Aruba's separate status or "Status Aparte" as a
  completely autonomous state under the authority
  of the crown

9
continued again ?

• In 1976, preparing the people of Aruba to
  exercise Aruba's self-determination Right and
  Independence, the National Flag and National
  Anthem were introduced by a special committee
  appointed by Betico Croes. The National Flag
  symbolized Aruba's "Status Aparte", obtaining
  hereby for Aruba the status of an autonomous
  state, with special ties with a Commonwealth of
  Nations.
• In 1977, the first Referendum for Self
  Determination was held with the support of the
  United Nations.
• In 1983, Aruba reached a final official agreement
  with the State of the Netherlands, the State of
  the Netherlands Antilles and the Island
  Governments, to become a Member State within the
  Kingdom of the Netherlands, with its own
  Constitution/Grondwet. Aruba's constitution and
  autonomy were unanimously approved and proclaimed
  in August 1985, and an election was held for the
  people to elect the State of Aruba's first
  national parliament and institute its first
  national government.
• Aruba's gained independence from the Netherlands
  Antilles on January 1, 1986, as an autonomous,
  self-governing member state of the Kingdom of the
  Netherlands, in preparation for its full
  independence in 1996. This last achievement is
  largely due to the diplomatic prowess of the late
  Betico Croes and his political support of other
  nations like the USA, Panama, Venezuela and
  various European Countries.

10
and once again ?

• Movement toward full independence by 1996 was
  postponed upon the request of Aruba's prime
  minister, Nelson O. Oduber, in 1990. It was
  decided to postpone Aruba's independence date
  until the people decide otherwise through a
  referendum. Betico Croes, after his death in
  1986, was proclaimed as the Libertador di Aruba

11
Weather

• With an average rainfall of less than 20 inches a
  year, an average daytime temperature of 82
  Fahrenheit (27 Celsius), a location completely
  outside the hurricane belt, and the constant
  cooling influence of the trade winds, Aruba is
  one of the most temperate islands in the
  Caribbean.
• The difference between median day and night
  temperatures, and between summer and winter
  temperatures, is just 3.6

12
Government

• Government type parliamentary democracy
• Legal system based on Dutch civil law system,
  with some English common law influence
• Executive branch chief of state Queen
  Beatrix of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980)
  represented by Governor General Fredis Refunjol
  (since 11 May 2004) head of government Prime
  Minister Nelson O. Oduber (since 30 October 2001)
  cabinet Council of Ministers elected by the
  Staten elections the monarch is hereditary
  governor general appointed for a six-year term by
  the monarch prime minister and deputy prime
  minister elected by the Staten for four-year
  terms election last held in 2005 (next to be
  held by 2009) Recent election results Nelson O.
  Oduber elected prime minister
• Legislative branch unicameral Legislature or
  Staten (21 seats members elected by direct
  popular vote to serve four-year terms)
  elections last held 23 September 2005 (next to
  be held in 2009)
• Judicial branch
• Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are
  appointed by the monarch)

13
Some Political Parties

• Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA Robert
  WEVER
• Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA Glenbert
  CROES
• Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA Monica
  ARENDS-KOCK
• Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA Benny NISBET
• Aruban People's Party or AVP Mike EMAN
• People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP Nelson
  O. ODUBER
• Real Democracy or PDR Andin BIKKER
• RED Rudy LAMPE Workers Political Platform or
  PTT Gregorio WOLFF

14
Aruba Holidays

• 2007
• 1 Jan New Years Day.
• 25 Jan GF Croes Day.
• 18 Mar National Anthem and Flag Day.
• 6-9 Apr Easter.
• 30 Apr Queens Birthday.
• 1 May Labour Day.
• 17 May Ascension Day.
• 25-26 Dec Christmas.

15
Native/Traditional Food

• The most popular Dominican Republic native foods
  include Sancocho, pork roasted on a spit, pastel
  en hoja, moro, La Bandera, cassava, platano or
  plantain, longaniza or sausage, stewed goat, fish
  cooked with coconut milk, and bunuelos or
  Dominican donuts.
• The La Bandera meal includes rice, meat, and
  beans and often with side dishes such as fried
  plantain or salads, and embodies their staple
  diet.
• The Sancocho is a favorite to celebrate a weekend
  with family and friends it is a type of hearty
  and filling soup that usually consists of several
  kinds of roots such as yucca, cassava, or
  probably potatoes. An essential ingredient is
  green plantain together with chicken or beef.
  Usual Sancocho will contain pork or beef, but a
  luxurious Sancocho recipe served on special
  occasions is called Siete Carnes consisting of
  seven different types of meat. Sancocho is at all
  times served with boiled rice and often with
  slices of avocado on the side. Others add a few
  drops of chili sauce to add a little spice,
  however spices are not generally typical in
  Dominican Republic native foods.
• Other native foods include Chicharrones de pollo
  which are small pieces of fired chicken, fired
  yucca or cassava, Moro de habichuelas made up of
  rice and beans, sopa criolla dominicana which is
  a native soup of meat and vegetables, and
  pastelón or baked vegetable cake.