Suriname

Suriname Background

Independence from the Netherlands was granted 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 administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.

Suriname Information

• Population: 436,935 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese
• Location:: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
• Religions:: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
• Ethnic Groups:: Hindustani (also known locally as East Indians; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, Maroons (their African ancestors were brought to the country in th
• Land Boundaries:: total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
• Area: total: 163,270 sq km water: 1,800 sq km land: 161,470 sq km
• Coast Line: 386 km
• Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
• Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 0.37% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.57% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
• Natural Resources: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
• Highways: total: 4,492 km paved: 1,168 km unpaved: 3,324 km (2000)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen
• Airports: 46 (2003 est.)