Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Aruba
Etymology: the origin of the island's name is unclear; according to tradition, the name comes from the Spanish phrase "oro huba" (there was gold), but in fact no gold was ever found on the island; another possibility is the native word "oruba," which means "well-situated"
Chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT (since 1 January 2017)
Head of government: Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES (since 17 November 2017)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Legislature (Staten)
Elections appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Staten for 4-year term; election last held on 27 September 2013 (next to be held by September 2017)
Election results: Evelyn WEVER-CROES (MEP) elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Description: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
Elections: last held on 22 September 2017 (next to be held in September 2021)
Election results: percent of vote by party AVP 39.8%, MEP 37.6%, POR 9.4%, RED 7.1%, other 6.1%; seats by party - AVP 9, MEP 9, POR 2, RED 1; composition as of October 2018 - men 14, women 7, percent of women 33.3%
Highest courts: Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (sits as a 3-judge panel); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court in The Hague, Netherlands
Judge selection and term of office: Joint Court judges appointed for life by the monarch
Subordinate courts: Court in First Instance
Name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)
Lyrics music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER
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