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Aruba
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Capital Oranjestad

Area 193 sq km (74.5 sq miles)

Population 1,010,541 (2008)

Language The official language is Dutch. English and Spanish are also spoken. The islanders also speak Papiamento, which is a combination of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English and Indian languages.

Time GMT ‑ 4

Electricity 120 volts AC, 60Hz

Description

Lean back and take it easy on Aruba: the best that Caribbean sea, sand and sunshine have to offer. Aruba’s balmy breezes and relaxed pace are just the tonic for any frazzled visitor; just like the soothing aloe vera plant that is found everywhere on the island. The surrounding waters are populated by colourful creatures such as parrotfish splashed with teal and gold, while bright pink flamingos populate the national park. Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, also dazzles: orange facades brightly array the architecture, indicating the island's historical ties with The Netherlands ‑ Aruba's head of state is still the Dutch ruling monarch.

Climate

With an average temperature of 28°C (82°F), this dry and sunny island is made pleasantly cool throughout the year by constant trade winds. Short showers occur during the months of October, November and December.

Geography

Aruba is the smallest island in the Leeward group of the Dutch Caribbean islands, which also include Bonaire and Curaçao; they are popularly known as the ABCs. As the westernmost island of the group, Aruba is the final link in the long Antillean chain, lying 20km/12.5 miles off the Venezuelan coast. The island is 30km/19.6 miles long and 9km/6 miles across at its widest, and has a flat landscape dominated by Jamanota Mountain (188m/617ft). The west and southwest coast, known as Palm Beach, boasts 11km/7 miles of palm‑fringed powder‑white sands while, in contrast, the east coast has a desolate and windswept shoreline of jagged rocks carved into peculiar shapes by the pounding surf.

Money

Currency

Aruban Florin (AWG; symbol ƒ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of ƒ500, 100, 50, 25 and 10. Coins are in denominations of ƒ5, 2.5 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 cents.
The Aruban Florin is tied to the US Dollar.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards are widely accepted by many shops and hotels. They can also be used in ATMs if the card bears CIRRUS or Plus System logos.

Travelers Checks

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Euros.

Banking Hours

Mon‑Fri 8AM‑Noon and 1:30‑4PM. Some remain open at lunchtime.

Currency Exchange

The US Dollar is widely accepted. Other currencies can be exchanged in banks. Currency can also be obtained from ATMs in Oranjestad.
Currency Restrictions
The export of the Aruban Florin is prohibited. The import and export of foreign currency must be declared with amounts exceeding the equivilant of US$11,000.