Suriname Population: 475,996
BackgroundFirst 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 yrs 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 ldership, 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.
GeographySmallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; grt diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is incrsingly thrtened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast.Loion:Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocn, between French Guiana and GuyanaGeographic coordinates:4 00 N, 56 00 WAr:total: 163,270 sq km
land: 161,470 sq km
water: 1,800 sq kmSize comparison: slightly larger than Georgia
Land Boundaries:total: 1,703 km
border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 kmCoastline:386 kmMaritime claims:territorial s: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nmClimate:tropical; moderated by trade windsTerrain:mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swampsElevation extremes:lowest point: unnamed loion in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 mNatural resources:timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron oreLand use:arable land: 0.36%
permanent crops: 0.06%
other: 99.58% (2005)Irrigated land:510 sq km (2003)Natural hazards:NACurrent Environment Issues:deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activitiesInternational Environment Agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertifiion, Endangered Species, Law of the S, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
PeoplePopulation:475,996 (July 2008 est.)Age structure:0-14 yrs: 27.5% (male 66,695/female 64,356)
15-64 yrs: 66.2% (male 156,961/female 158,234)
65 yrs and over: 6.3% (male 12,868/female 16,882) (2008 est.)Median age:total: 27.5 yrs
male: 27.1 yrs
female: 27.9 yrs (2008 est.)Population growth rate:1.099% (2008 est.)Birth rate:17.02 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)Dth rate:5.51 dths/1,000 population (2008 est.)Net migration rate:-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 yrs: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 yrs: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 yrs and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.)Infant mortality rate:total: 19.45 dths/1,000 live births
male: 22.96 dths/1,000 live births
female: 15.71 dths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population: 73.48 yrs
male: 70.76 yrs
female: 76.39 yrs (2008 est.)Total fertility rate:2.01 children born/woman (2008 est.)HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.7% (2001 est.)HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:5,200 (2001 est.)HIV/AIDS - dths:fewer than 500 (2003 est.)Nationality:noun: Surinamer(s)
adjective: SurinameseEthnic groups:Hindustani (also known locally as "st 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%Religions:Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman holic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indious beliefs 5%Languages: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), Caribbn Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), JavaneseLiteracy:definition: age 15 and over can rd and write
total population: 89.6%
male: 92%
female: 87.2% (2004 census)
GovernmentCountry name:conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname
local long form: Republiek Suriname
local short form: Suriname
former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch GuianaGovernment type:constitutional democracyCapital:name: Paramaribo
geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahd of Washington, DC during Standard Time)Administrative divisions:10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, WanicaIndependence:25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)National holiday:Independence Day, 25 November (1975)Constitution:ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987Legal system:based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservationsSuffrage:18 yrs of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ramdien SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and hd of government
hd of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-yr terms (no term limits); election last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president; percent of vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR 35.4%, other 1.7%; note - after two votes in the parliament failed to secure a two-thirds majority for a candidate, the vote then went to a special session of the United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 sts; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-yr terms)
elections: last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NF 39.7%, NDP 22.2%, VVV 13.8%, A-Com 7.2%, A-1 5.9%, other 11.2%; sts by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3Judicial branch:Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life)Political parties and lders:Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Amazone Party of Suriname or APS [Kenneth VAN DEREN], 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]); eral Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition that includes A-Combination or A-Com, Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91, an independent, business-oriented party [Winston JESSURUN], National Party Suriname or NPS [Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or V [Ramdien 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 Perseverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU [Jim HOK]; Progressive Political Party or PPP [Surinder MUNGRA]; Seeka [Paul ABENA]; Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY]Political pressure groups and lders:Association of Indious Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Hd Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]International organization participation:ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Ruben Constantijn KROSS
chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488
FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
consulate(s) eral: MiamiDiplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie SCHREIBER HUGHES
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo
telephone: [597] 472-900
FAX: [597] 410-025
EconomyThe 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, Beium, and the Europn 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 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 crted a stabilization fund to insulate future revenue from commodity shocks. These economic policies are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term.GDP (purchasing power parity):$4.24 billion (2008 est.)GDP (official exchange rate):$2.984 billion (2008 est.)GDP - rl growth rate:5.4% (2008 est.)GDP - per capita (PPP):$8,900 (2008 est.)GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 10.8%
industry: 24.4%
services: 64.8% (2005 est.)Labor force:156,700 (2004)Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 8%
industry: 14%
services: 78% (2004)Unemployment rate:9.5% (2004)Population below poverty line:70% (2002 est.)Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.4% (2007 est.)Budget:revenues: $392.6 million
expenditures: $425.9 million (2004)Agriculture - products:
Industries:bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishingIndustrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:1.595 billion kWh (2006 est.)Electricity - consumption:1.457 billion kWh (2006 est.)Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2007 est.)Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2007 est.)Oil - production:13,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)Oil - consumption:12,370 bbl/day (2006 est.)Oil - exports:2,899 bbl/day (2005)Oil - imports:6,369 bbl/day (2005)Oil - proved reserves:88 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2007 est.)Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2007 est.)Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2007 est.)Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2007 est.)Natural gas - proved reserves:0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)Current account balance:$24 million (2007 est.)Exports:$1.391 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)Exports - commodities:alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananasExports - partners:Canada 26.8%, Norway 20.2%, Beium 9.2%, US 8.9%, UAE 7.9%, France 7.2% (2007)Imports:$1.297 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)Imports - commodities:capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goodsImports - partners:US 27%, Netherlands 17.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.3%, China 5.9%, Japan 5.1% (2007)Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$263.3 million (2006)Debt - external:$504.3 million (2005 est.)Market value of publicly traded shares:$NACurrency ():Surinam dollar (SRD)Exchange rates:Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007), 2.745 (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003) note: in January 2004, the government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basketFiscal yr:calendar yr
CommuniionsTele in use:81,500 (2006)Cellular in use:320,000 (2006)Telephone system:eral assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 tele per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network
international: country - 597; satellite rth stations - 2 sat (Atlantic Ocn)Radio broadcast stations:AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)Television broadcast stations:3 (plus 7 repters) (2000)Internet country :.srInternet hosts:33 (2008)Internet users:44,000 (2007)
TransportationAirports:50 (2007)Airports (paved runways):total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2007)Airports (unpaved runways):total: 45
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 40 (2007)Pipelines:oil 50 km (2007)Roadways:total: 4,304 km
paved: 1,130 km
unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)Waterways:1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2008)Merchant marine:total: 1
by type: cargo 1 (2008)Ports and terminals:Paramaribo, Wain
Military
Military branches:National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007)Military service age and obligation:18 yrs of age (est.); recruitment is voluntary, with personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2007)Manpower available for military service:males age 16-49: 130,534
females age 16-49: 130,243 (2008 est.)Manpower fit for military service:males age 16-49: 105,770
females age 16-49: 109,666 (2008 est.)
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