South America and South Atlantic Islands

Suriname
Last reviewed: 4 July 2008

Country information

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Map of Suriname

SURINAME TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 163,265 sq km (63,037 sq miles)
Population: 437,024 (2004 census)
Capital City: Paramaribo (population: 180,000)
People: Surinamese. Ethnic groups include: East Indian 27%, Mixed 19%, Creole 18%, Javanese 15%, Bush Negro 14.5%, Amerindians 3%, Chinese 2%, European 1%
Languages: Dutch (official), English, Sranan Tongo (Creole Language), Hindustani, and Javanese
Religions: Hindu, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Dutch Reformed, Moravian, Jewish, Baha'i
Currency: Suriname Guilder was replaced by the Surinamese dollar in January 2004. Approximately 5.717 SRD to one UK pound (October 2007)
Major Political Parties: National Party of Suriname (NPS), Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Pertjaja Luhur, Suriname Workers Party (SPA), National Democratic Party (NDP)
Government: Constitutional Democracy
Head of State: His Excellency the President Runaldo R VENETIAAN
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk

Environment

The current environmental issues facing Suriname are deforestation, as timber is cut for export and pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities. Suriname is party to the international environmental agreements on Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 and Wetlands.