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Country name:
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conventional long form:
none
conventional short form: Aruba |
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Dependency status:
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part 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 |
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Government type:
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parliamentary democracy
|
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Capital:
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Oranjestad
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Administrative divisions:
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none (part of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands) |
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Independence:
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none (part of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands) |
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National holiday:
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Flag Day, 18 March
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Constitution:
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1 January 1986
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Legal system:
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based on Dutch civil law
system, with some English common law influence |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
|
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen
BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor
General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October
2001); deputy prime minister NA
cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)
election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of
legislative vote - NA%
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 28 September
2001 (next to be held by December 2005) |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislature or
Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%,
PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP
6, PPA 2, OLA 1
elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)
|
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Judicial branch:
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Joint High Court of Justice
(judges are appointed by the monarch) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Aruba Solidarity Movement or
MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban
Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA
[Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban
People's Party or AVP [Tico CROES]; Concentration for the Liberation of
Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson
O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [leader NA]; National
Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
|
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International organization participation:
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Caricom (observer), ECLAC
(associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (represented by the
Kingdom of the Netherlands) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission:
Consul General Deborah A. BOLTON
embassy: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao
mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao
telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066
FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489 |
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Flag description:
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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 |
