The island is 19 miles long and 6 miles wide, with an
area of 70 sq. miles. The terrain is generally flat;
however the northeastern part of the island is hilly.
The island enjoys excellent infrastructure.
Her capital, Oranjestad, is situated in the Southwestern
part of the island, only2.5 miles from Queen Beatrix
International Airport. St. Nicolaas, on the Southeastern
part of the island, is Aruba’s second city and also home
of the Valero Aruba Refining Co., one of the largest
refineries in the Caribbean.
Aruba enjoys a very healthy climate, making it a
year-round paradise for residents and visitors alike.
The average and almost constant temperature is 81F, with
cooling trade winds and the absence of tropical storms
and hurricanes. The rain fall is very moderate,
averaging about 24 inches per year.
Aruba is characterized by an open economy which, because
of its small scale, is dependant on imports and exports.
Since most goods must be imported, it has become
necessary to expand Aruba’s export markets beyond the
natural resources available, in order to maintain a
proper trade balance. The liberal economic policies of
the Aruban government aid principally towards this
accomplishment.
