Aruba

1. Aruba

2. Aruba’s 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 island’s 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 generousity;7. 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: • mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%

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 Year’s Day. • 25 Jan GF Croe’s Day. • 18 Mar National Anthem and Flag Day. • 6-9 Apr Easter. • 30 Apr Queen’s 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.