Suriname Flag

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Brief History. Suriname, located on the northeastern coast of South America, was settled by the Dutch and the British in the early 1600s. In 1667, the region became a Dutch colony. That status continued virtually unchanged (except for brief interludes of British control) until independence, which was achieved in 1975. In 1980, Suriname's became a military-controlled government, one which eliminated opposition parties. Eight years later, military rule was removed but the limitations placed on civil liberties remained in place. It was not until 1991 that civilian rule was reestablished (although there is evidence that the true ruler of the country remains the former military ruler, Col. Desi Bouterse).

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Country Information

Local name: Suriname

Capital: Paramaribo

Population: 439,117

Government: constitutional democracy

Currency: Surinam dollar (SRD)

Land size: 163,270 sq km

Topography: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Typical foods:

Major exports: alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas

Information on the People

Official language: Dutch

Other languages spoken: English, Sranang Tongo, Hindustani, Javanese

Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%

Literacy rate: 88%

Male/Female Ratio: 1.04 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 69.01 years

Ethnic groups: 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%

Internet users: 30,000

Famous people:

  

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News From This Region
Suriname News - Breaking World Suriname News - The New York Times
World news about Suriname. Breaking news and archival information about its people, politics and economy from The New York Times.

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