!!!Aruba
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[{GoogleMap location='Aruba' type='embedded' zoom='bounds'  width='450' height='350'}]
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[{Image src='aa-lgflag.gif' class='image_left' height='150' width='226'}]

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
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* %%icon-geo,geo %% [Geography|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Geography]
* %%icon-geo,maps %% [Maps|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Maps]
* %%icon-geo,culture %% [Culture|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Culture]
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* %%icon-geo,special %% [Special Information|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Special_Information]
* %%icon-geo,picture %% [Pictures|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Pictures]
* %%icon-geo,community %% [Community Contributions|Geography/Territories_Oceans_and_Islands/Aruba/Community_Contributions]
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