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Compare Aruba (2008) - Turks and Caicos Islands (2005)

Compare Aruba (2008) z Turks and Caicos Islands (2005)

 Aruba (2008)Turks and Caicos Islands (2005)
 ArubaTurks and Caicos Islands
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none (overseas territory of the UK)
Age structure 0-14 years: 19.7% (male 9,943/female 9,761)


15-64 years: 70.2% (male 33,553/female 36,661)


65 years and over: 10.1% (male 4,046/female 6,054) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 32.5% (male 3,396/female 3,277)


15-64 years: 63.8% (male 6,900/female 6,220)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 342/female 421) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products aloes; livestock; fish corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Airports 1 (2007) 8 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Area total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 430 sq km


land: 430 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Washington, DC 2.5 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. The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory.
Birth rate 12.83 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 22.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $507.9 million


expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.)
revenues: $47 million


expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1997-98 est.)
Capital name: Oranjestad


geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Grand Turk
Climate tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Coastline 68.5 km 389 km
Constitution 1 January 1986 introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
Death rate 7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $478.6 million (2005 est.) NA
Dependency status member country 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 overseas territory of the UK
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 (overseas territory of the UK)
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 (overseas territory of the UK)
Disputes - international none have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder
Economic aid - recipient $11.3 million (2004) $4.1 million (1997)
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. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993, providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority. The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
Electricity - consumption 716.1 million kWh (2005) 4.65 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 770 million kWh (2005) 5 million kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Environment - current issues NA limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Ethnic groups mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20% black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%
Exchange rates Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) the US dollar is used
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)


election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11 July 2005)


head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15 August 2003)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor
Exports 230,600 bbl/day (2004) NA
Exports - commodities live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Exports - partners Netherlands 27.7%, Panama 25.5%, Colombia 12.8%, Venezuela 11.1%, US 9.4%, Netherlands Antilles 7.1% (2006) US, UK
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
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 the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.4%


industry: 33.3%


services: 66.3% (2002 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.4% (2005 est.) 4.9% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 N, 69 58 W 21 45 N, 71 35 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) about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
Highways - total: 121 km


paved: 24 km


unpaved: 97 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; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Imports 235,000 bbl/day (2004) NA
Imports - commodities machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Imports - partners US 53.6%, Netherlands 12.9%, UK 3.6% (2006) US, UK
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining tourism, offshore financial services
Infant mortality rate total: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 19.59 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 15.67 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.11 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.4% (2005) 4% (1995)
International organization participation Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
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
Labor force 41,500 (2004 est.) 4,848 (1990 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%


note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 10.53%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2005)
arable land: 2.33%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.67% (2001)
Languages Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census) English (official)
Legal system based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
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)


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 Legislative Council (19 seats of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5
Life expectancy at birth total population: 74.83 years


male: 71.8 years


female: 77.91 years (2007 est.)
total population: 74.51 years


male: 72.28 years


female: 76.84 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: 97.3%


male: 97.5%


female: 97.1% (2000 census)
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 98%


male: 99%


female: 98% (1970 est.)
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2005) -
National holiday Flag Day, 18 March (1976) Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Nationality noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
noun: none


adjective: none
Natural hazards lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt frequent hurricanes
Natural resources NEGL; white sandy beaches spiny lobster, conch
Net migration rate 10 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 11.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
People - note - destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US
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] People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 100,018


note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-1999 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2007 est.)
20,556 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.522% (2007 est.) 2.9% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors - Grand Turk, Providenciales
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)
Religions Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, other (includes Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish) 10% Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.019 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.915 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.668 male(s)/female


total population: 0.906 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 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; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007)
general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing


domestic: full range of services available


international: country code - 1-649; 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 38,300 (2005) 5,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 108,200 (2005) 1,700 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; 2 cable television networks) (2004)
Terrain flat with a few hills; scant vegetation low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Total fertility rate 1.85 children born/woman (2007 est.) 3.08 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.9% (2005 est.) 10% (1997 est.)
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