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General Information Area: 193 sq km (74.5 sq miles). Population: 95,201 (1999). Population Density: 493 per sq km. Capital: Oranjestad. Population: 20,046 (1991). 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 complete contrast the east coast has a desolate, windswept shoreline of jagged rocks carved into weird shapes by the pounding surf. Government: Dependency of the Netherlands. In 1986 Aruba separated from the rest of the Netherlands Antilles. Head of State: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, represented locally by Governor Olindo Koolman since 1992. Head of Government: Prime Minister Nelson Oduber since 2001. Language: The official language is Dutch. English and Spanish are also spoken. The islanders also speak Papiemento, which is a combination of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English and Indian languages. Religion: Eighty per cent of the population are Roman Catholic. Time: GMT - 4. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD available. Country code: 297. Outgoing international code: 00. Payphones, from which international calls can be made, are located all over the island. Mobile telephone These can be hired from SETAR (tel: 586 7138; website: www.setar.au). A deposit and proof of identity are required. Setel NV operates GSM 900 coverage across the whole of the Netherlands Antilles. Internet Public access is available at the Internet cafe in Oranjestad (website: www.cybercafe.aw). Main ISPs include Setarnet (website: www.setarnet.aw). Fax/Telegram Most hotels offer fax and telegram services to residents. Post Post office hours: 0730-1200 and 1300-1630. Press The oldest established newspaper (in Dutch) is Amigoe di Aruba and the English-language papers are The News, and Aruba Today. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 From www.columbusguides.com, Copyright © 2004 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Terms and Conditions apply.