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Background:
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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.
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Location:
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Northern
South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between French Guiana and Guyana |
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Geographic coordinates:
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4 00 N, 56
00 W |
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Map references:
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South
America |
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Area:
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total:
163,270 sq km
land: 161,470 sq km
water: 1,800 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly
larger than Georgia |
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Land boundaries:
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total:
1,707 km
border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana
510 km, Guyana 600 km |
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Coastline:
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386 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial
sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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tropical;
moderated by trade winds |
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Terrain:
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mostly
rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber,
hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and
small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 0.37%
permanent crops: 0.06%
other: 99.57% (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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490 sq km
(1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation
as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland
waterways by small-scale mining activities |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party
to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected
agreements |
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Geography - note:
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smallest
independent country on South American continent; mostly
tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna
that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by
new development; relatively small population, mostly
along the coast
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Population:
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438,144
(July 2005 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14
years: 29.6% (male 66,537/female 63,182)
15-64 years: 64.2% (male 144,285/female 136,942)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 12,092/female
15,106) (2005 est.) |
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Median age:
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total:
26.13 years
male: 25.72 years
female: 26.58 years (2005 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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0.25% (2005
est.) |
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Birth rate:
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18.39
births/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Death rate:
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7.16
deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-8.78
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at
birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total:
23.57 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 27.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005
est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 68.96 years
male: 66.75 years
female: 71.27 years (2005 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.34
children born/woman (2005 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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1.7% (2001
est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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5,200 (2001
est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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less than
500 (2003 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun:
Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese |
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Ethnic groups:
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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 the
17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the
interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%,
other 2% |
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Religions:
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Hindu
27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman
Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5% |
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Languages:
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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 |
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Literacy:
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definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93%
male: 95%
female: 91% (1995 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional
long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname
local long form: Republiek Suriname
local short form: Suriname
former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana |
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Government type:
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constitutional
democracy |
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Capital:
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Paramaribo |
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Administrative divisions:
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10
districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo,
Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para,
Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica |
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Independence:
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25 November
1975 (from Netherlands) |
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National holiday:
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Independence
Day, 25 November (1975) |
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Constitution:
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ratified 30
September 1987 |
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Legal system:
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based on
Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of
age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of
state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12
August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA
(since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Runaldo Ronald
VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules
Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the
president from among the members of the National
Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected
by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice
presidential candidate receives a a two-thirds
constitutional majority in the National Assembly after
two votes, by a simple majority in the larger People's
United Assembly (869 representatives from the national,
local, and regional councils), for five-year terms;
election last held 25 May 2000 (next to be held 25 May
2005) |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral
National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year
terms)
elections: last held 2 May 2000 (next to be held
May 2005)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - NF 33, MC 10, DNP-2000 3, DA-91 2, PVF
2, PALU 1 |
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Judicial branch:
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Cantonal
Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court
(justices are nominated for life) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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A-Combinatie
(coalition of Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP [Caprino
ALENDY], General Interior Development Party or ABOP
[Ronnie BRUNSWIJK], Progressive Laborers and Farmers
Union or PALU [Jim HOK], Seeka [Paul ABENA]);
Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Democratic
Alternative 1991 or DA-91 [Winston JESSURUN], Democrats
of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto MOESTADJA], Nieuw
Suriname or NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political Wing of
the FAL or PVF [Jiwan SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti
JESSURUN]); National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire
BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF
(a coalition includes National Party Suriname or NPS
(Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ram
SARDJOE], Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Salam Paul SOMOHARDJO],
Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party
for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Marten
Schalkwijk]; People's Alliance for Progress or VVV (a
coalition of Democratic National Platform 2000 or
DNP-2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots Party for
Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for
National Unity and Solidarity of the Highest Order or
KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], Party for Progression, Justice,
and Perserverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or
PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Union of Progressive Surinamers or
UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Association
of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association
of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE];
Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD] |
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International organization participation:
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ACP,
Caricom, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU,
LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of
mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES
chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488
FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
consulate(s) general: Miami |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of
mission: Ambassador Marsha E. BARNES
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: Department of State, 3390
Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390
telephone: [597] 472900
FAX: [597] 420800 |
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Flag description:
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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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Economy - overview:
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The economy
is dominated by the alumina industry, which accounts for
more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings.
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. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has
begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted
to control spending. While - in 2002 - President
VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise for civil
servants, threatening his earlier gains in stabilizing
the economy, he has not repeated this promise in the
run-up to the May 2005 elections. The Dutch Government
has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow
Suriname to access international development financing,
but plans to phase out funds over the next five years.
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. Prospects for local onshore oil production are
good, as a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil
drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil
Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with
Repsol and Mearsk. |
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GDP:
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purchasing
power parity - $1.885 billion (2004 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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4.2% (2004
est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing
power parity - $4,300 (2004 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture:
13%
industry: 22%
services: 65% (2001 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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70% (2002
est.) |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest
10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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23% (2003
est.) |
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Labor force:
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104,000
(2003) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture
NA%, industry NA%, services NA% |
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Unemployment rate:
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17% (2000) |
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Budget:
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revenues:
$400 million
expenditures: $440 million, including capital
expenditures of $34 million (2003) |
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Agriculture - products:
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paddy rice,
bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts;
beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp |
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Industries:
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bauxite and
gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food
processing, fishing |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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6.5% (1994
est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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1.984
billion kWh (2002) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil
fuel: 25.2%
hydro: 74.8%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001) |
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Electricity - consumption:
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1.845
billion kWh (2002) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh
(2002) |
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh
(2002) |
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Oil - production:
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12,000
bbl/day (2004 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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14,000
bbl/day (2004 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
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1,370
bbl/day (2003) |
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Oil - imports:
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1,644
bbl/day (2003) |
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Oil - proved reserves:
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99 million
bbl (2004) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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0 cu m
(2004) |
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Exports:
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$495
million f.o.b. (2002) |
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Exports - commodities:
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alumina,
crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas |
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Exports - partners:
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Norway
31.1%, US 16%, Canada 13.2%, Belgium 10.8%, France 8.8%,
Iceland 4.6% (2004) |
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Imports:
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$604
million f.o.b. (2002) |
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Imports - commodities:
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capital
equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods |
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Imports - partners:
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US 28.2%,
Netherlands 21.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.4%, Japan
7.2%, China 4.3% (2004) |
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Debt - external:
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$321
million (2002 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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Netherlands
provided $37 million for project and program assistance,
European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million
(1998) |
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Currency:
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Surinamese
guilder (SRG) |
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Currency code:
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SRG |
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Exchange rates:
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Surinamese
dollars per US dollar - 2.7336 (2004), Surinamese
guilders per US dollar - 2.6013 (2003), 2.3468 (2002),
2.1785 (2001), 1.3225 (2000)
note: during 1998, the exchange rate splintered
into four distinct rates; in January 1999 the government
floated the guilder, but subsequently fixed it when the
black-market rate plunged; in January 2004, the
government introduced the Surinamese dollar as
replacement for the guilder, tied to a US
dollar-dominated currency basket |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar
year
|
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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79,800
(2003) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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168,100
(2003) |
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Telephone system:
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general
assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 597; satellite
earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 4, FM
13, shortwave 1 (1998) |
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Radios:
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300,000
(1997) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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3 (plus
seven repeaters) (2000) |
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Televisions:
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63,000
(1997) |
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Internet country code:
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.sr |
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Internet hosts:
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18 (2003) |
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
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2 (2000) |
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Internet users:
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20,000
(2002)
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Highways:
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total:
4,492 km
paved: 1,168 km
unpaved: 3,324 km (2002) |
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Waterways:
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1,200 km
(most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2003) |
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Pipelines:
|
oil 51 km
(2004) |
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Ports and harbors:
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Albina,
Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen |
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Merchant marine:
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total:
1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT
by type: cargo 1 (2005) |
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Airports:
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46 (2004
est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total:
5
over 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total:
41
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)
|
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Military branches:
|
National
Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements) |
|
Military manpower - military age and obligation:
|
18 years of
age (est.); no conscription |
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Military manpower - availability:
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males
age 18-49: 111,582 (2005 est.) |
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Military manpower - fit for military service:
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males
age 18-49: 77,793 (2005 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
|
$7.5
million (2003) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
|
0.7% (2003)
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| Transnational
Issues |
Suriname |
|
Disputes - international:
|
area
claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and
Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname
claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari
rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the
Courantyne; Guyana seeks UNCLOS arbitration to resolve
the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of
the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich
waters |
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