|
Background |
Independence from
the Netherlands was gained in 1975. Five years later the civilian
government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared
a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession
of nominally civilian governments until 1987, when international
pressure finally brought about a democratic election |
|
Geographic coordinates |
N 4, W 56 |
|
Area |
Total: 163,270
sq km - Slightly larger than the state of Georgia |
|
Climate |
Tropical - moderated
by trade winds - average about 27C (81F); Sept and Oct are the
warmest months; and the coolest are Jan and Feb |
|
Natural Resources |
Timber, hydropower,
fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel,
copper, platinum, iron ore |
|
Land Use |
Forests and woodland
(96%) |
|
Environmental Issues |
Deforestation
as timber is cut for export; and pollution of inland waterways
by mining activities, particularly gold mining |
|
Geography |
Mostly
tropical rain forest - great diversity of flora and fauna
that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development.
A relatively small population lives along the coast |
|
Population |
431,303 (July
2000 est.) - 95% live in the coastal region |
|
Life Expectancy |
For the total
population: 71.36 years |
|
Nationality |
Surinamese |
|
Ethic Groups |
Hindustani (37%); Creole (mixed black
and white) 31%; Javanese 15%; Maroons (African
ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries
and escaped to the interior)10%; Amerindian 2%; Chinese
2%; White 1%; Other 2% |
|
Religions |
Hindu 27.4%; Muslim
19.6%; Catholic 22.8%; Protestant 25.2%; indigenous beliefs 5% |
|
Languages |
Dutch (official language); English
(widely spoken); Sranan Tongo (Surinamese); Hindustani
(a dialect of Hindi); and Javanese |
|
Literacy |
93% of the population
aged 15 and over can read and write |
|
Capital City |
Paramaribo |
|
Economy |
The economy is
dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than
15% of the GDP and 70% of export earnings |
|
Budget |
Revenues ($393
million); Expenditures ($403 million) |
|
Agriculture Products |
Paddy rice, bananas,
palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts, beef, chickens, forest
products, shrimp |
|
Exports |
Alumina, aluminum,
lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas |
|
Economic Aid |
Netherlands provides
$37 million, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2
million (1998 figures) |
|
Currency |
Surinamese guilder,
gulden, or florin (Sf) = 100 cents |
|
Fiscal Year |
Calendar Year |
|
Waterways |
1,200 km - most
important means of transport; ocean-going vessels with drafts
ranging up to 7m can navigate many of the principal waterways |
|
Ports & Harbors |
Albina, Moengo,
New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen |
|
Military |
National Army
(includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police |
|
Sunrise/Sunset |
Because Suriname
is so close to the Equator, the times of sunrise and sunset do
not vary much. Sunrise is at about 5:45am and sunset at about
6:30pm; dusk appears rapidly, darkening the sky within 15 minutes |
|
Time Zone |
Suriname time
is two hours later than Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the USA
and three hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in Europe |
|
Passports & Visas |
Both required |
|
Embassy and
Consulate |
Suriname Consulate in Miami,
FL Tele: (305) 593-2166
Suriname Embassy in Washington,
DC. Tele: (202) 244-7488
|