Data: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Preserved and rebuilt by PRIA Technologies.

Central America N Caribbean • AW

Aruba

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Population

125,063 (2024 est.)

GDP

$3.649 billion (2023 est.)

Area

180 sq km

Capital

Oranjestad

Government type

parliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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Introduction

Background

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. Three main industries have since dominated the island's economy: gold mining, oil refining, and tourism. A 19th-century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening of an oil refinery in 1924. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, semi-autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.