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Compare Aruba (2004) - Cook Islands (2004)

Compare Aruba (2004) z Cook Islands (2004)

 Aruba (2004)Cook Islands (2004)
 ArubaCook Islands
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none
Age structure 0-14 years: 20.3% (male 7,429; female 7,051)


15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,587; female 25,007)


65 years and over: 11.4% (male 3,347; female 4,797) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products aloes; livestock; fish copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 9 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Washington, DC 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. 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, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 11.53 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY00/01 est.)
Capital Oranjestad Avarua
Climate tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 68.5 km 120 km
Constitution 1 January 1986 4 August 1965
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
Currency Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $285 million (1996) $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles, Robert E. SORENSON, is accredited to Aruba none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996 $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
Economy - overview Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 494.7 million kWh (2001) 25.51 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 531.9 million kWh (2001) 27.43 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Environment - current issues NA NA
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.7229 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999)
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 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)


election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister SIR Geoffrey HENRY (since 14 December 2004)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners Netherlands 33.7%, Colombia 12%, Netherlands Antilles 12%, Panama 12%, Venezuela 10.8%, US 9.6% (2003) Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture: 17%


industry: 7.8%


services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1.5% (2002 est.) 7.1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 N, 69 58 W 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography - note a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Highways total: 800 km


paved: 513 km


unpaved: 287 km


note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
total: 320 km


paved: 33 km


unpaved: 287 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity -
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners US 55.3%, Netherlands 13%, Netherlands Antilles 3.1% (2003) New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate NA (2002 est.) 1% (2002)
Industries tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.85 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.2% (2002 est.) 3.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate) ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Irrigated land 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch) High Court
Labor force 41,500 (1997 est.) 8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2001)
arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (2001)
Languages Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish English (official), Maori
Legal system based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 7 September 2004 (next to be held by 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 10, DAP 9, Demo Tumu 4, independent 1; note - one seat undecided pending by-election


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.98 years


male: 75.64 years


female: 82.49 years (2004 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA


female: NA
definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA


female: NA
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Merchant marine total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,772 GRT/7,068 DWT


by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2


foreign-owned: Germany 1, Russia 1


registered in other countries: 1 (2003 est.)
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,074 GRT/7,520 DWT


by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1


foreign-owned: Australia 1, United Kingdom 1 (2004 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard -
National holiday Flag Day, 18 March Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources NEGL; white sandy beaches NEGL
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -
Political parties and leaders Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY] Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]; Demo Party Tumu [Robert WOONTON]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 71,218 (July 2004 est.) 21,200 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA
Population growth rate 0.51% (2004 est.) NA (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Religions Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
NA (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal NA years of age; universal adult
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: more than adequate


international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 37,100 (2002) 6,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 53,000 (2001) 1,500 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)
Terrain flat with a few hills; scant vegetation low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.) NA children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 0.6% (2003 est.) 13% (1996)
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