Suriname

SURINAME

Information about travelling to Suriname

Suriname is located in Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana

Facts about Suriname
Population475,996 (July 2008 est.)
CapitalParamaribo
Time zoneUTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Location Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana

General info about Suriname
First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. 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 exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since; the coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005.
Disease threats
degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis
Languages spoken
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), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
What about drugs?
growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
Ethnic division
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 i
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
1.7% (2001 est.)
Climate
tropical; moderated by trade winds
Resources
timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
Economy
The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Prospects for local onshore oil production are good, and a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with several Western oil companies. Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors, though investment in these projects may slow with the tightening of global credit markets. Suriname has received aid for these projects from Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development Fund. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. In 2000, the government of Ronald VENETIAAN, returned to office and inherited an economy with inflation of over 100% and a growing fiscal deficit. He quickly implemented an austerity program, raised taxes, attempted to control spending, and tamed inflation. The VENETIAAN administration also has created a stabilization fund to insulate future revenue from commodity shocks. These economic policies are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term.
Environment
deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities

Cities in Suriname

albina     brokopondo     groningen     lelydorp     marienburg     meerzorg     moengo     nieuw amsterdam     nieuw nickerie     onverwacht     paramaribo     totness     wageningen    


Airports in Suriname
AlbinaABN
WageningenAGI
BotopasieBTO
DjoemoeDOE
DrietabbetjeDRJ
Nieuw NickerieICK
MoengoMOJ
Zorg En HoopORG
Zanderij InternationalPBM
CoronieTOT
WashaboWSO


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