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Compare Aruba (2005) - Christmas Island (2001)
Compare Aruba (2005) z Christmas Island (2001)
| Aruba (2005) | Christmas Island (2001) | |
 |  | |
| Administrative divisions | none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) | none (territory of Australia) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 7,308/female 6,960)
15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,736/female 25,068) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 3,486/female 5,008) (2005 est.) |
0-14 years:
NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% |
| Agriculture - products | aloes; livestock; fish | NA |
| Airports | 1 (2004 est.) | 1 (2000 est.) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
total:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
| Area | total: 193 sq km
land: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total:
135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly larger than Washington, DC | about 0.7 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 in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened four years later, but the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored, and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. |
| Birth rate | 11.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) | NA births/1,000 population |
| Budget | revenues: $135.8 million
expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000) |
revenues:
$NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA |
| Capital | Oranjestad | The Settlement |
| Climate | tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation | tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds |
| Coastline | 68.5 km | 138.9 km |
| Constitution | 1 January 1986 | Christmas Island Act of 1958 |
| Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba |
conventional long form:
Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island |
| Currency | - | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Death rate | 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) | NA deaths/1,000 population |
| Debt - external | $285 million (1996) | $NA |
| 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 | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba | none (territory of Australia) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry Baarh, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands | none (territory of Australia) |
| 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 | $NA |
| 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 exceptionally 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. | Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island. |
| Electricity - consumption | 751.2 million kWh (2002) | NA kWh |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2002) | - |
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2002) | - |
| Electricity - production | 807.7 million kWh (2002) | NA kWh |
| Electricity - production by source | - | fossil fuel:
NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% |
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m |
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m |
| Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
| Ethnic groups | mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% | Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population |
| Exchange rates | Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000) | Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996) |
| 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 the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia |
| Exports | NA | $NA |
| Exports - commodities | live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment | phosphate |
| Exports - partners | Netherlands 28.5%, Panama 17.5%, Venezuela 14.7%, Netherlands Antilles 11.2%, Colombia 10.7%, US 10.4% (2004) | Australia, NZ |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | 1 July - 30 June |
| 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 | the flag of Australia is used |
| GDP | - | purchasing power parity - $NA |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: NA%
industry: NA% services: NA% |
agriculture:
NA% industry: NA% services: NA% |
| GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) | purchasing power parity - $NA |
| GDP - real growth rate | -1.5% (2002 est.) | NA% |
| Geographic coordinates | 12 30 N, 69 58 W | 10 30 S, 105 40 E |
| 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) | located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean |
| 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:
140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry) paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (1999) |
| 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 | $NA |
| Imports - commodities | machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs | consumer goods |
| Imports - partners | US 55.5%, Netherlands 14.1%, Venezuela 3.3% (2004) | principally Australia |
| Independence | none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) | none (territory of Australia) |
| Industrial production growth rate | NA% | NA% |
| Industries | tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining | tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.) |
NA deaths/1,000 live births |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 3.2% (2002 est.) | NA% |
| International organization participation | ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate) | none |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | - | 2 (2000) |
| Irrigated land | 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) | NA sq km |
| Judicial branch | Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch) | Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court |
| Labor force | 41,500 (1997 est.) | NA |
| Labor force - by occupation | most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining | tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (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:
NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% note: mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park |
| Languages | Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish | English, Chinese, Malay |
| Legal system | based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence | under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law |
| 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 by NA 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA 7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8, MPA 1, RED 1 |
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)
elections: last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 79.14 years
male: 75.8 years female: 82.65 years (2005 est.) |
total population:
NA years male: NA years female: NA years |
| Literacy | definition:
total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA% |
- |
| Location | Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela | Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia |
| Map references | Central America and the Caribbean | Southeast Asia |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone:
12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM |
| Merchant marine | - | none (2000 est.) |
| Military - note | defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands | defense is the responsibility of Australia |
| Military branches | no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard | - |
| National holiday | Flag Day, 18 March | NA |
| Nationality | noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban; Dutch |
noun:
Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island |
| Natural hazards | lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
| Natural resources | NEGL; white sandy beaches | phosphate |
| Net migration rate | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) | NA migrant(s)/1,000 population |
| Political parties and leaders | 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] | none |
| Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | none |
| Population | 71,566 (July 2005 est.) | 2,771 (July 2001 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | NA | NA% |
| Population growth rate | 0.47% (2005 est.) | 7.77% (2001 est.) |
| Ports and harbors | Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas | Flying Fish Cove |
| Radio broadcast stations | AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) | AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) |
| Radios | - | 1,000 (1997) |
| Railways | - | 24 km to serve phosphate mines |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish | Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.) |
- |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | - |
| Telephone system | general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system
domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links |
general assessment:
NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service |
| Telephones - main lines in use | 37,100 (2002) | NA |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 53,000 (2001) | 0 (1999) |
| Television broadcast stations | 1 (1997) | NA |
| Terrain | flat with a few hills; scant vegetation | steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau |
| Total fertility rate | 1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.) | NA children born/woman |
| Unemployment rate | 0.6% (2003 est.) | NA% |
| Waterways | - | none |
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