Part 39

Illicit drugs: major drug money laundering center and minor transit point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe

Exports: $1.3 billion (including oil re-exports) (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: mostly refined petroleum products partners: US 64%, EU

Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products, crude oil for refining and reexport partners: US 8%, EU

External debt: $669 million (December 1995)

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 Aruban florin (Af.) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1 - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 note: government-owned airport east of Oranjestad accepts transatlantic flights (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 22,922 (1993 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: more than adequate international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1

Televisions: 19,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands

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@Ashmore and Cartier Islands ---------------------------

(territory of Australia)

Map ---

Location: 12 14 S, 123 05 E -- Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia