Map
Location: 4 00 N, 56 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
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Flag
Description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
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Geography
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:
4 00 N, 56 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total area:
163,270 sq km
land area:
161,470 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
total:
1,707 km
border countries:
Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
Coastline:
386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa Rivier); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
lowest point:
unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point:
Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold
Land use:
arable land:
NEGL%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
97%
other:
3%
Irrigated land:
590 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation as foreign producers obtain timber concessions
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geographic note:
mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna which for the most part is not threatened because of the lack of development; relatively small population most of which lives along the coast
People
Population:
436,418 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
34% (male 74,959; female 71,500)
15-64 years:
62% (male 136,287; female 132,407)
65 years and over:
4% (male 9,930; female 11,335) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.6% (1996 est.)
Birth rate:
24.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate:
5.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.88 male(s)/female
all ages:
1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
29.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.04 years
male:
67.51 years
female:
72.7 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Surinamer(s)
adjective:
Surinamese
Ethnic divisions:
Hindustani (also known locally as "East" Indians; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed European and African ancestry) 31%, Javanese 15.3%, "Bush Black" (also known as "Bush Creole" whose ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves) 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1%, other 1.1%
Religions:
Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
Languages:
Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population:
93%
male:
95.1%
female:
91%
Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Republic of Suriname
conventional short form:
Suriname
local long form:
Republiek Suriname
local short form:
Suriname
former:
Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Data code:
NS
Type of government:
republic
Capital:
Paramaribo
Administrative divisions:
10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence:
25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution:
ratified 30 September 1987
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Ronald R. VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991) and Prime Minister Jules R. AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991), who is also the vice president, were elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly; election last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes)
cabinet:
Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
note:
Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 10, DA '91 9, independents 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, justices nominated for life
Political parties and leaders:
The New Front (NF), a coalition of four parties (NPS, VHP, KTPI, SPA), leader Ronald R. VENETIAAN; Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Ronald VENETIAAN; Party of National Unity and Solidarity (KTPI), Willy SOEMITA; Suriname Labor Party (SPA), Fred DERBY; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), a coalition of two parties (AF, and BEP) formed in January 1991, Winston JESSURUN; Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY; Pendawa Lima, Marsha JAMIN; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire BOUTERSE; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir Iwan KROLIS; The Alliance, a combination of three parties (DP, HPP, PVF), Ernie BRUNINGS; Democratic Party (DP), Ernie BRUNINGS; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Harry KISOENSINGH; Party of the Federation of Land Workers PVF), Jwan SITAL
Other political or pressure groups:
Surinamese Liberation Army (SLA), Ronnie BRUNSWIJK, Johan "Castro" WALLY; Union for Liberation and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica, Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO
International organization participation:
ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT
chancery:
Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 244-7488, 7490 through 7492
FAX:
[1] (202) 244-5878
consulate(s) general:
Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roger R. GAMBLE
embassy:
Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1821, American Embassy Paramaribo, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-3390
telephone:
[597] 472900, 477881, 476459
FAX:
[597] 420800
Flag:
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
Economy
Economic overview:
The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for upwards of 15% of GDP and more than 65% of export earnings. Following a dismal year in 1994 which saw the value of the Surinamese currency plummet by about 80%, inflation rise to more than 600%, and national output fall for the fifth consecutive year, nearly all economic indicators improved in 1995. The VENETIAAN government unified the exchange rate and the currency gained some of its lost value. In addition, inflation fell to double digits and tax revenues increased sufficiently to nearly erase the budget deficit. The release of substantial development aid from the Netherlands - which had been held up due to the government's failure to initiate economic reforms - also helped buoy the economy. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued implementation of needed economic restructuring; the outcome of the national elections in May 1996 will be an important factor in determining future government policy.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate:
0.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita:
$2,950 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture:
21.6%
industry:
23.7%
services:
54.7% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
62% (1995)
Labor force:
98,240
by occupation:
agriculture, industry, services
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$300 million
expenditures:
$700 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1994 est.)
Industries:
bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
420,000 kW
production:
1.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture:
paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chicken; forest products and shrimp of increasing importance
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
Exports:
$293.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities:
alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
partners:
Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1992)
Imports:
$194.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities:
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
partners:
US 42%, Netherlands 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Brazil 5% (1992)
External debt:
$180 million (March 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient:
ODA, $NA
Currency:
1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - central bank midpoint rate: 402.32 (December 1995), 442.23 (1995), 134.12 (1994); parallel rate: 412 (December 1995), 510 (December 1994), 109 (January 1994)
note:
beginning July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate was unified and became market determined
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Transportation
Railways:
total:
166 km (single track)
standard gauge:
80 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:
86 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total:
4,470 km
paved:
1,162 km
unpaved:
3,308 km (1990)
Waterways:
1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways
Ports:
Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen
Merchant marine:
total:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 1, container 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total:
38
with paved runways over 3 047 m:
1
with paved runways under 914 m:
31
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m:
6 (1995 est.)
Communications
Telephones:
43,522 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:
international facilities good
domestic:
microwave radio relay network
international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 1
Radios:
290,256 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (1987 est.)
Televisions:
59,598 (1993 est.)
Defense
Branches:
National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49:
119,010
males fit for military service:
70,400 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
