Aruba

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Aruba

Dependency of the Netherlands

Area: 75 sq mi (193 sq km) / World Rank: 197
Location: Northern and Western Hemispheres, in the southern Caribbean Sea off the north coast of the South American continent
Coordinates: 12° 30? N, 69°58 W
Borders: No international boundaries
Coastline: 42.6 mi (68.5 km)
Territorial Seas: 12 NM (22 km)
Highest Point: Mount Jamanota, 617 ft (188 m)
Lowest Point: Sea level
Longest Distances: 18.6 mi (30 km) NW-SW / 5 mi (8 km) SW-NE
Longest River: None
Natural Hazards: None
Population: 70,007 (July 2001 est.) / World Rank: 190
Capital City: Oranjestad, on northwest coast
Largest City: Oranjestad (20,046, 1991 est.)

OVERVIEW

Aruba is a Caribbean island about the size of Washington, D.C., located 15 mi (25 km) north of the coast of Venezuela and 42 mi (68 km) northwest of Cura©ao, the largest island of the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba's terrain is mostly flat with a few hills. There is little in the way of vegetation or outstanding physical features and no inland water. Aruba's best-known geographical feature is its white-sand beaches, which are the basis of an active tourism industry that is the mainstay of the island's economy.

Aruba is situated on the Caribbean Tectonic Plate. The island is made up of limestone-capped hills and ridges, with cliffs on the northern and northeastern coasts and coral reefs on the southern coast.

MOUNTAINS AND HILLS

Aruba's terrain is almost entirely flat. The highest elevation, so-called Mount Jamanota, is only 617 ft (188 m) above sea level. Rock formations characterize the interior of the island.

INLAND WATERWAYS

Aruba has no inland waterways.

THE COAST, ISLANDS, AND THE OCEAN

The Coast and Beaches

Aruba has three deepwater harbors located at Oranjestad, Barcadera, and San Nicolas (Sint Nicolaas). The coastal area is known for its white-sand beaches and the calm waters surrounding Aruba are clear, making it a popular tourist destination.

CLIMATE AND VEGETATION

Temperature

Aruba's tropical marine climate varies little seasonally, with an average annual temperature of 81°F (27°C), varying from about 78°F (26°C) in January to 84°F (29°C) in July.

Rainfall

Most rain brought by the prevailing easterly winds of the region falls on the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, leaving Aruba with a very dry climate. Rainfall averages 20 in (51 cm) or less annually, and the island's residents rely on one of the world's largest desalination plants for most of their drinking water. The rainy season occurs between October and December.

Forests and Other Vegetation

Aruba has little vegetation. Due to the island's scant rainfall only hardy, drought-resistant tree, shrub, and cactus species can survive, and there is no arable land.

HUMAN POPULATION

Most Arubans live in the island's major cities and work in the tourism industry or at the island's oil refinery. The average estimated life expectancy for 2001 was 78.5 years, with an estimated population growth rate of 0.64 percent and an estimated birthrate of 12.64 per 1,000 population. Over two-thirds of the population is aged 15–64.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Aruba has few natural resources. Its major economic activities are tourism and refining crude oil imported from Venezuela.

GEO-FACT

A ruba was part of the Netherlands Antilles until 1986, when it seceded and became a separate dependency. The island was on its way to full independence by 1996—until deciding to turn it down. In 1990 it took back its request for independence, electing to remain a dependency.

Geo-Data: The World Geographical Encyclopedia