Aruba

Aruba (Aruba) - possession the Netherlands in West Indies, on the island with the same name from bunch of Leeward Islands. The island has a hilly landform with altitude to 188  m. the Square of Aruba 193  sq. km. The population 71,2  thousand persons (1992), mainly Negroes and mulattos the Official language on Aruba - Netherlands, are passed round also tongue papjamento (a Creole admixture of the Spanish and Portuguese tongues), English and Spanish tongues. A possession administrative centre - Oranestad with the population in 25  thousand persons. In a city the Dignity-nikolase lives 17  thousand persons. Overtopping religion - a Catholicism.

Since 1986 Aruba a separate administrative unit of Kingdom of the Netherlands with intrinsic self-management. Foreign policy and defence questions are in the competence of the Netherlands government. The queen of the Netherlands is represented on island by the governor. The regulation of questions of intrinsic self-management belongs to the unicameral parliament of Aruba selected universal suffrage for a period of four years. The executive power is carried out by Ministerial council led by the prime minister.

Aruba has been open in 1499 Spaniards, in 1527 has been declared by the property of the Spanish corona. Dutches have captureed island in 1634, but have definitively assigned to itself only in 1816. Before slavery cancellation in 1863 Aruba was the largest centre of a slave-trade in West Indies. Till 1986 the island was a part Netherlands antill, but then has gained the independent status.

The Basis of economy of Aruba was compounded earlier by the oil refining factory belonging to branch of the American concern the Ex-sleep. Being engaged in rehash of the Venezuelan and Mexican petroleum, the factory supplied 99 % of percent arubskogo export. After hours factory in 1985 the source of raw materials of the petrochemical factories of Aruba has been undermined, the profitable part of the budget has essential decreased. Government tryings to reinstate factory job while are unsuccessful. From other industries on island there are factories on effecting tobacco and spirits, in Oranestade and Bargadere - ship-repair shipyards. Aruba is interested in tourism development. In a year island attend 300  thousand tourists. Agriculture development is restricted by a deficiency of sweet water and scarcity of bedrocks. On island the aloe used in the pharmaceutical and perfumery industry is cultivated. The food bulk is imported to Aruba from abroad. The basic trading partners of Aruba: Venezuela, the USA, the Netherlands, the Great Britain. Main seaport of island - Oranestad. The international airport Queen Beatriks is had in 2,5  km from Oranestada. Island Monetary unit - arubsky a gulden (florin), to equal hundred cents.