Overview of Suriname

Profile

Approximately 90% of the country is covered by lush tropical rainforest, with the central nature reserve registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a multiethnic society where Indo-Surinamese, African Maroons, Creoles, Javanese, and others coexist and nurture a unique culture. The economy heavily depends on mining industries such as bauxite and gold, but attention is also focused on tourism and oil field development in recent years. The capital, Paramaribo, features wooden buildings from the Dutch colonial era, and its historic district is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site. The population concentrates along the coastal area facing the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, while the interior remains covered by undeveloped jungle.

Official name: Republic of Suriname
Common name: Suriname
Numeric code: 740
Alpha-3 code: SUR
Alpha-2 code: SR
Population: 620,000 (2023)
Population density: approximately 4 people/km²
Primary languages: Dutch
Major religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
National anthem: God zij met ons Suriname (Dutch) / Opo kondreman (Sranan Tongo)
Calling code: +597
Internet TLD: .sr

History

Colonized as Dutch Guiana, it gained independence in 1975 and has advanced democratization through coups.

The Dutch and British fought over sovereignty in the 17th century, and it was established as Dutch Guiana by the Treaty of Breda in 1667. Plantation management and African slave labor became the main industries, and after the abolition of slavery, contract workers were imported from India and Java. It acquired autonomy in 1954 and gained full independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. Since the military coup of 1980, military and civilian governments have alternated, but the 1987 constitution led to a return to civilian rule. Since the 1990s, economic diversification has been sought through mineral resources and ecotourism, and in 2000, the central nature reserve was registered as a World Heritage Site.

Geography & climate

The north has alluvial lowlands and wetlands, while the central to southern areas are covered by the Guiana Highlands and tropical rainforest with scattered granite inselbergs.

Tropical rainforest climate

Area: South America / 163820 km²
Capital: Paramaribo
Largest city: Paramaribo
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Brokopondo Reservoir (artificial lake)
Bordering countries: Guyana, Brazil, French Guiana

Natural resources

Bauxite, Gold, Crude oil, Timber, Hydropower, Freshwater, Seafood, Forest carbon sinks, Cashew nuts, Gravel and sand, Tropical fruits

Politics

Government: Republic (Presidential system)

Economy

Currency: Surinamese Dollar (SRD)

GDP (nominal): 3.5 billion US dollars (2023)

GDP (PPP): 10.5 billion international dollars (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Dutch

Time zone: Suriname Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Indo-Surinamese, Maroon Africans, Creoles, Javanese, Mixed race, Chinese, Indigenous Amerindians, Lebanese, Europeans (mainly Dutch)

Life expectancy

72.7 years

Literacy rate

96%

National sports

Football, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Mixed Martial Arts, Volleyball