Population:

Suriname has 490,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate); average annual rate of natural increase is 1.5 percent. The population in the capital is approximately 240.000 residents. The inhabitants of Suriname forefathers came from all over the world. The varied composition of the population dates back to the colonial period. The original inhabitants, the indigenous Amerindian people had to deal with European domination, with particular reference to Dutch dominance. Ever since 1650 the colonial rulers forced Africans into slavery and send them to Suriname. There descendants are known as Afro-Surinamers or Creoles. The Maroons are descendants of the runaway slaves.

After the abolition of slavery in 1863, contract laborers from China, India and Indonesia came to work on the Suriname plantations. During the colonial period Jews, Lebanese and Europeans immigrated to Suriname and long afterwards, Haitians, Brazilians, Chinese and Guyanese decided to make Suriname their home as well.

Culture:

Due to the mix of population groups, Surinamese culture is very diverse, which make the Surinamese nationals extremely proud of their rich culture.

Ethnicity: 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%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7 %, Europeans 1%, others, mainly Jews and Syrians 1.1%. Religions:

Hindu 27.4 percent; Protestant 25.2 percent; Roman Catholic 22.8 percent; Muslim19.6 percent; indigenous believes about 5 percent.

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33% 15-64 years: 62% 65 years and over: 5%

Sex Ratio:

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female Under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15 - 64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

Head of State:

His Excellency Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan

Government:

Suriname is a democratic Republic headed by a President. The National Assembly contains 51 members. Constitution of the Republic of Suriname (English version):

http://www.constitution.org/cons/suriname.htm

Ruling Coalition:

New front Plus

Language

The official language is Dutch, but Suriname recognizes about twenty five other local languages. The “Lingua Franca” is “Sranan Tongo”, with words originally from African, English, Portuguese and Dutch. “Saranami” is a Surinamese variant of Hindi that is freely spoken by the Hindustanis (Surinamese descendants of Indian immigrants). Javanese, Chinese, Maroons, as well as the indigenous people speak their original languages or a variation thereof. English and Spanish are also widely spoken, especially at tourist oriented facilities and stores.

Climate

Suriname has a humid, tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 23 degrees Centigrade at night to 37 degrees Centigrade in the afternoon during some months of the year. There are dry and “green” seasons.

Surface Area:

63,251 sq. mi. (163,270 sq. km)

Territorial Division:

10 districts

Highest Point:

Juliana top (4,120 feet)

Literacy Rate:

94 percent; (2007 estimate.)

Education:

Education is free and compulsory from age 6 to 12. There is at least one international school and several institutions for higher and academic education including the University of Suriname and the FHR Lim A Po Institute for Social Studies (FHR).

Communication:

• three modern telecommunication companies;

• four daily news papers and a number of weekly and monthly papers and magazine;

• One General Post Office and a number of branch offices;

• About 4 AM, 13 FM and 1 shortwave radio broadcast stations;

• About eleven television stations;

• Three cable television operators;

• 4 internet providers and about 126 internet and cyber café’s.

Transportation

The Suriname road network consist of asphalted as well as a view sand roads with a total length of 9,000 kilometers. There is left hand traffic. The National Transportation Company as well as private bus operators provide public bus transportation. In addition, there are several taxi companies as well as street taxis. Several companies in Paramaribo also offer cars, scooters and bicycles for hire. Foreign aircrafts in general use the Johan Adolph Pengel International Airport located about 42 km South of Paramaribo. From the local Zorg en Hoop Airport in Paramaribo, small aircrafts and helicopters depart regularly to interior airstrips. There are 47 airstrips in the interior of which 5 are equipped with paved runways.

Most Surinamese rivers are navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 meters. Suriname has three ports for sea going vessels. The “Nieuwe Haven Seaport” handles about 55 percent of Suriname’s non-bauxite exports and most of the countries imports. This port is the hub for a road system, which also serves the interior and is strategically placed on one of the country’s navigable rivers. Ease and cost of the port operations are therefore important in serving the main population centers and the underdeveloped interior. The “Nieuwe Haven Port” is currently undergoing a major reconstruction, that is financed by the European Union and which will enable this facility to play a key role in the regional logistical framework.

Communication

Telephones-main lines in use are about 84,800 (2005); Telephones mobile cellular are roughly 266,800 (2006). In the city of Paramaribo, along the coastal area and also in some villages, telephone booths are located. Calling cards can be obtained at the telephone companies, post offices and in many neighborhood stores and supermarkets. You may also be called back at any of the telephone booths; the number is painted on the roof compartment. The international code for Suriname is (597). You can also call collect via 156 (USA) and 157 (Holland). Usage of a foreign gsm cellular phone is possible. It is however practical to bring along a regional free (SIM lock free or unlocked cell phone). A SIM card cost approximately $25.00 US. Every area in Paramaribo has more then a few internet café’s.

Accommodation

Paramaribo has various large hotels with well-appointed comfortable air conditioned rooms. Branch names like “Royal Torarica”, “Residence Inn”, “Marriott”, “Best Western” and “Krasnapolsky”, are just a view of the major players in the accommodation sector. The quality of smaller hotels, pensions and guesthouses is passable. In addition there are an increasing number of vacation houses and apartments in and outside Paramaribo.

The western town of New Nickerie also has hotels, pensions, guesthouses and vacation houses for rental. Elsewhere on the coastal area smaller hotels and guest houses can be found. In the interior, the accommodation is somewhat simpler. Some villages have a simple guesthouse, but there are also tourist lodges in fascinating nature areas. Near the city you will also find several vacation park areas. A local company has recently started to offer specific river cruises as well.

Cuisine

Suriname has become famous for its magnificent and distinct cuisine. There is a wide variety of restaurants and eating houses. You can enjoy tasty Javanese, Chinese, Creoles, Hindi, Korean, Dutch and Lebanese food or choose from the international menu. International fast food giants such as Mac Donald’s, KFC/Pizza Hut and Popeye are also present in Paramaribo.

Entertainment

The favorite sport is soccer, but basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis and many other ball sports as well as games are practiced widely. Fitness, martial arts, fishing, birth watching and hunting are also favorable pass times. Surinamese people are extremely friendly and like to dance, sing and party. Paramaribo has several bar dancing’s that can easily be described as internationally high standing, offering a repertoire of national and international melodies.

The New Years Eve celebration (“OWRU YARI”) has become a festivity that makes Suriname unique in the world. People of Suriname celebrate the New Year with lots of drinks, music and fireworks. The New Years Eve festivity and the splendor is the outcome of many long practiced traditions observed by the early ancestors. New Year traditions in Suriname bring out the typical New Year custom of South America. Making loud noises at the stroke of New Years Eve midnight with car horns, boat whistles, church bells or drum beats is customary. Variegated types of fireworks lighted up for long hours create a brilliant spectacle on the night sky. This is undoubtedly Suriname’s grand celebration. The SURIFESTA Foundation is the organization that is the lobby group for the festivities concerning the end of the year parties and New Year’s Eve (www.surifesta.com).

Clothing

In the humid climate light clothing is highly recommended.

Drinking Water

Suriname is one of the few countries in the world with a vast amount of pure and fresh water. In Paramaribo tap water is clean and safe. Excellent quality bottled Surinamese natural water is also available everywhere.

Health Services

Suriname has several modern hospitals and one academic health facility. Well trained and skillful doctors and health care workers are at hand. Several pharmacies in the city and districts ensure regular and adequate supply of medicines.

If you are planning to visit the deep interior, you are advised to seek advice in advance about the correct anti-malaria medicine. Up to date information can be obtained from the Bureau of Public Health in Paramaribo

Monetary Unit:

The Surinamese dollar is tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket. The Suriname dollar (SRD) is equal to 100 cents. Many hotels and large department stores accept foreign currency and credit cards. Foreign currency can safely be exchanged in commercial banks and cambio’s. Money transactions on the street are not advised. With mayor international bank passes, one can acquire Suriname dollars at the automatic cash machines. The currency rate per US dollar is 2,7317 SRD.

Economic Summary:

Suriname is ranked 86th out 0f 174 countries in the human development index 2005 of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which puts it in the “medium human development” band. The economy is dominated by the mining industry, which accounts for more than a third of the GDP and subjects government revenues to mineral price volatility. The short term economic outlook is good. Suriname’s prospects for the medium term depend on the continued commitment of the Government to responsible monetary and fiscal policies. The government under the leadership of His Excellency President Venetiaan implemented an austerity program, raised some taxes and controlled spending. Economic policies are likely to remain the same. Prospects for on and offshore oil production are good as a drilling program is underway. Offshore drilling was given a substantial boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (“Staatsolie N.V.”) signed exploration agreements with Repsol, Maersk and Occidental. Biding on these new offshore blocks was completed in 2006. New investment in the bauxite and gold mining sectors are also on their way.

GDP/PPP (2006 est.) $3. 098 billion; GDP $7.100 per capita (2006 est.); GDP Real growth rate: 6.0 percent (2006est.); Unemployment: 9.5 percent (2004); Inflation rate 9.5 percent (2005 est.).

Industries:

Bauxite (Suriname ranks fourth among the world's producers of alumina and bauxite); crude oil; gold mining; alumina and aluminum production; lumbering; food processing; fisheries.

Natural Resources: bauxite; hydro carbons; gold; hydro power; timber; fish; kaolin; and small amounts of iron ore, nickel, copper and platinum.

Agriculture Products: rice; bananas; palm kernels; coconuts; plantains; peanuts; citrus; vegetables; beef; pork; chickens; forest products and shrimp

Major trading partners: United States of America, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Japan, United Kingdom, Arabic Emirates and the Caribbean Community.

Import commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports $750 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports Partners: USA 29.3%; Netherlands 17.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 12.7%, China 6.5%, Japan 5.2%, Brazil 4.3% (2005)

Exports commodities: alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas and vegetables

Exports: $ 881 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports Partners: Norway 24%; USA 16.8%; Canada 16.4%, Belgium 9.8%, France 8.1%; UAE 7.5% (2005)

Oil production: 12,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil proved reserves: 150 million bbl (2005)

Import Taxes and License Requirements

Import tariffs for non-CARICOM products range between zero and forty percent. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, average import duties are currently between 30 and 40 percent. Licenses are no longer required to import many products and the current trade law is based on the Negative list. There are two special import taxes: the statistics duty, which is one half of one percent of the product’s value, and the consent duty, which one and one –half percent of the product’s value.

Suriname also applies very minor export controls. A listing of goods that are prohibited for export is available from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (the so-called Negative list). A number of products require export licenses that must be approved by the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Import, Export and Foreign Currency Division.

Regional Cooperation

Suriname became a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM in 1995) and is also a member of CARIFORUM. Suriname has made steps to integrate its economy into the regional and global economies. As a member of CARICOM, Suriname has reduced its import tariffs. Given the amount of natural resources, Suriname can play a prominent role in the development of the CARICOM. Suriname joined the Caribbean countries in forming the association of Caribbean States (ACS). The country has been a full member of the WTO since its establishment in 1995. Suriname is currently as an ACP member negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with the European Union as part of the Cotonou Agreement. Suriname ratified the Amazon Co-operation Agreement, which aims at the development of the people of the Amazon region (8 countries). Suriname is member of the Organization of American States (OAS) which Headquarter is based in Washington DC.

Electricity:

Almost everywhere there is 110/127 volt hertz available. The larger hotels generally also offer 220 volt connections.

Time zone:

EST +2; GMT-3

Major Airlines

International: Suriname Airways (SLM), Royal Dutch Airline (KLM), Caribbean Airline, INSEL Air.

Domestic: Surinam Airways, Blue Wing, Gum Air, Hi-Jet helicopter service.

Miscellaneous

• The 1962 movie “The Spiral Road”, directed by Robert Mulligan and Starring Rock Hudson, was filmed in Suriname (then Dutch Guiana);

• Jan Matzeliger was born in Paramaribo, Suriname in 1852. He was the son of a white Dutchman, and a black mother whose last name was Essed. At the age of 18, he immigrated to the United States where he would revolutionize the shoe making industry by inventing the shoe-lasting machine. Matzeliger settled in the small town of Lynn, Massachusetts which at the time was the main manufacturer of shoes in America.

Matzeliger became an apprentice to a shoe maker which would eventually lead him to his shoe-lasting machine invention. Matzeliger's invention would not only improve the process of shoe making, but would increase wages and improve working conditions.

• Chapter 19 of Voltaire’s Classic “Candice” was set in Suriname;

• Some of the greatest soccer players to represent the Netherlands, such as Frank Rijkard, Ruud Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, Arron Winter, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank, Winston Boogarde, Michael Reiziger, Stanley Menzo and Edgar Davids are of Surinamese decent;

• There are many local sports hero’s as well. Anthony Nesty is the second black athlete to win an Olympic medal in swimming (after Enith Brigitha Montreal 1976). Nesty established this historic milestone at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. In the 100 m butterfly, Nesty out-touched then-favorite Matt Biondi by .01; Nesty finished in 53.00 and Biondi in 53.01. Nesty is the only Olympic medal winner from Suriname and after winning his Olympic gold medal, Nesty was unbeaten at the 100 meters butterfly for three years. Nesty's victory in Seoul was a momentous social and political event for Afro-Caribbeans. The Suriname government commemorated Nesty's gold-medal performance on a stamp and on gold and silver coins. A 25 Guilders bank note portraying the illustration of a butterfly swimmer was printed in his honor. The national indoor sport stadium also carries his name. Letitia Vriesde is the most successful ever Surinamese track and field athlete and holds the South American records for 800 m, 1000 m and 1500 m (indoors and outdoors) and also for 3000 m (indoors). Primraj Binda best known as the athlete that dominated the national 10 km for nearly a decade and Steven Vismale are also local sport heroes;

• Suriname is featured in the TV series E-Ring;

• The Actor Jimmy Smits from de TV series LA Law, NYPD Blue, the West Wing, Star Wars Episode II, was born to a Surinamese father and a Puerto Rican mother;

• The female boxer, kick-boxer and actor Lucia Rijker who is currently a California native is a 5.6 junior welterweight boxing and kickboxing world champion. She has a Surinamese father and a Dutch mother and is most likely the most dangerous female fighter in the world on a pound for pound basis. Recently she co-starred as “Billie the Blue Bear” in the 2004 Oscar winning motion picture Million Dollar Baby.

The National Anthem:

“Rise country men rise”

“The soil of Suriname is calling you”

“Wherever our ancestors came from”

“We should take care of our country”

“We are not afraid to fight. God is our leader”

“Our entire life until death - We will fight for Suriname”

The National Flag:

The unity of all ethnic groups is represented by one yellow/gold star that basically stands for a golden future. The red stripe stands for progress and love, the green for hope and fertility, and white for peace and justice.

The National Coat of Arms:

The coat of arms of Suriname consists of two Amerindians holding a shield. Below the Amerindians and the shield you will find the motto: “Justitia – Pietas - Fides”, which is Latin for “Justice-Faith-Loyalty”. The sailing boat at the left part of the shield symbolizes the history of Suriname when slaves were taken to the country of Africa.

The palm at the right part of the shield stands for the present as well for justice. The diamond in the middle symbolizes a hart. The five point star within the diamond stands for the five continents the inhabitants from Suriname came from.

The National Flower

The National Flower of Suriname is the “Fajalobi” (passionate love), which is mainly grown in the coastal plains in gardens. Suriname’s rainforests are home to several beautiful orchid species. As they mostly grow high in trees, their beauty can seldom be seen however. Other flowers such as the heliconia, hyacinth and passionflower, can be seen when they bloom.