3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

Conventional long form: none

Conventional short form: Aruba

Administrative Divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National Holiday

Flag Day, 18 March

Constitution

1 January 1986

Legal System

based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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 2005 (next to be held by 2009)

Election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

Legislative Branch

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 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

Judicial Branch

Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)

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]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

NA

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

National Anthem

Year

Government Type

  • Parliamentary democracy

Capital

  • Name
    Oranjestad
  • Geographic Coordinates
    12 33 N, 70 06 W
  • Time Difference
    UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Diplomatic Representation from the US

    The US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba

International Organization Participation

  • ILO
  • IMF
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • UNESCO (associate)
  • UPU
  • WCL
  • WMO
  • WToO (associate)