Suriname (2003) | Suriname (2008) | |
Administrative divisions | 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica | 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 30.7% (male 68,536; female 65,165)
15-64 years: 63.3% (male 141,048; female 134,699) 65 years and over: 6% (male 11,686; female 14,315) (2003 est.) |
0-14 years: 28% (male 67,088/female 64,949)
15-64 years: 65.7% (male 154,148/female 155,345) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 12,726/female 16,528) (2007 est.) |
Agriculture - products | paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp | paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products |
Airports | 46 (2002) | 50 (2007) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002) |
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2007) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 41
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2002) |
total: 45
914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 40 (2007) |
Area | total: 163,270 sq km
land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km |
total: 163,270 sq km
land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly larger than Georgia | slightly larger than Georgia |
Background | 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. | First 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 years 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 leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since, expanding to eight parties in 2005. |
Birth rate | 19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 17.31 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
Budget | revenues: $393 million
expenditures: $403 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.) |
revenues: $392.6 million
expenditures: $425.9 million (2004) |
Capital | Paramaribo | name: Paramaribo
geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
Climate | tropical; moderated by trade winds | tropical; moderated by trade winds |
Coastline | 386 km | 386 km |
Constitution | ratified 30 September 1987 | ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987 |
Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana |
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana |
Currency | Surinamese guilder (SRG) | - |
Death rate | 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
Debt - external | $321 million (2002 est.) | $504.3 million (2005 est.) |
Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900 FAX: [597] 420800 |
chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie SCHREIBER HUGHES
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: US Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472-900 FAX: [597] 425-690 |
Diplomatic representation in the US | 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 |
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) general: Miami |
Disputes - international | area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Guyana is in dispute | 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 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters |
Economic aid - recipient | Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998) | $43.97 million
note: Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (2005) |
Economy - overview | The economy is dominated by the bauxite 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 renewed 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. However, in 2002, President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise for civil servants, which threatens his earlier gains in stabilizing the economy. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing. 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. | The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 55% of GDP, 85% of exports, and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. 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. 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 office 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. These economic policies are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term. 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, Maersk, and Occidental. Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006. |
Electricity - consumption | 1.822 billion kWh (2001) | 1.423 billion kWh (2005) |
Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2001) | 0 kWh (2005) |
Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2001) | 0 kWh (2005) |
Electricity - production | 1.959 billion kWh (2001) | 1.53 billion kWh (2005) |
Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel: 25.2%
hydro: 74.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
- |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m |
lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m |
Environment - current issues | deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities | deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities |
Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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% | 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% |
Exchange rates | Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,346.75 (2002), 2,178.5 (2001), 1,322.47 (2000), 859.44 (1999), 401 (1998)
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; the government currently allows trading within a band of SRG 500 around the official rate |
Surinamese dollars per US dollar - NA (2007), (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003)
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 replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket |
Executive branch | 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 constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president by the National Assembly; percent of legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 19.6%; total votes cast - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes |
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 head of government
head 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-year 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 2005 |
Exports | NA (2001) | 3,151 bbl/day (2004) |
Exports - commodities | alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas | alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas |
Exports - partners | US 25.3%, Norway 20.4%, France 8.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.4%, Iceland 6%, Canada 5.9%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002) | Norway 23%, Canada 15.5%, US 12.6%, Belgium 10.1%, France 8.5%, UAE 6.9%, Iceland 4.2% (2006) |
Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
Flag description | 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 | 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 |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $1.469 billion (2002 est.) | - |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 13%
industry: 22% services: 65% (2001 est.) |
agriculture: 10.8%
industry: 24.4% services: 64.8% (2005 est.) |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) | - |
GDP - real growth rate | 1.2% (2002 est.) | 5.1% (2007 est.) |
Geographic coordinates | 4 00 N, 56 00 W | 4 00 N, 56 00 W |
Geography - note | 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 | 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 |
Highways | total: 4,492 km
paved: 1,168 km unpaved: 3,324 km (2000) |
- |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
Illicit drugs | growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing | growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing |
Imports | NA (2001) | 6,032 bbl/day (2004) |
Imports - commodities | capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods | capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods |
Imports - partners | US 22.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, China 11.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.2%, France 7.5%, Netherlands Antilles 7.2%, Japan 5.7% (2002) | US 29.4%, Netherlands 18.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.9%, Japan 5.1%, China 4.9% (2006) |
Independence | 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands) | 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands) |
Industrial production growth rate | 6.5% (1994 est.) | 6.5% (1994 est.) |
Industries | bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing | bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing |
Infant mortality rate | total: 24.74 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) |
total: 20.11 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 23.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 17% (2002 est.) | 9.5% (2005 est.) |
International organization participation | ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO | ACP, Caricom, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 2 (2000) | - |
Irrigated land | 490 sq km (1998 est.) | 510 sq km (2003) |
Judicial branch | Court of Justice (justices are nominated for life) | Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life) |
Labor force | 100,000 | 156,700 (2004) |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% | agriculture: 8%
industry: 14% services: 78% (2004) |
Land boundaries | total: 1,707 km
border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km |
total: 1,703 km
border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km |
Land use | arable land: 0.37%
permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.57% note: there are 95,000 hectares of arable land, 7,000 hectares of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0.36%
permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.58% (2005) |
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), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese | 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), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese |
Legal system | based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory | based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations |
Legislative branch | unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA 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 note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early |
unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year 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%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3 |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 69.23 years
male: 66.79 years female: 71.78 years (2003 est.) |
total population: 73.23 years
male: 70.52 years female: 76.12 years (2007 est.) |
Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995 est.) |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.6% male: 92% female: 87.2% (2004 census) |
Location | Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana | Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana |
Map references | South America | South America |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Merchant marine | total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (2002 est.) |
total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT
by type: cargo 1 (2007) |
Military branches | National Army (including small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police | National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007) |
Military expenditures - dollar figure | $NA | - |
Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 1.6% (FY97 est.) | 0.6% (2006 est.) |
Military manpower - availability | males age 15-49: 123,159 (2003 est.) | - |
Military manpower - fit for military service | males age 15-49: 72,039 (2003 est.) | - |
National holiday | Independence Day, 25 November (1975) | Independence Day, 25 November (1975) |
Nationality | noun: Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese |
noun: Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese |
Natural hazards | NA | NA |
Natural resources | timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore | timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore |
Net migration rate | -8.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) | -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
Pipelines | oil 51 km (2003) | oil 50 km (2007) |
Political parties and leaders | Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a coalition of the Alternative Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP, formed in January 1991) [Winston JESSURUN]; Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP 2000 (coalition of two parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the 21st Century) [Jules WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA [Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC (a coalition of three parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National Unity and Solidarity, and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA]; Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul SOMOHARDJO]; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU [Ir Iwan KROLIS]; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname National Party or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor Party or SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) [Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN]; The Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed Progressive Party or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF, and Suriname Progressive People's Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH] | Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Amazone Party of Suriname or APS [Kenneth VAN GENDEREN], 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]); General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition which 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 VHP [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 leaders | General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement [Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG] | Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD] |
Population | 435,449 (July 2003 est.) | 470,784 (July 2007 est.) |
Population below poverty line | 70% (2002 est.) | 70% (2002 est.) |
Population growth rate | 0.37% (2003 est.) | 1.103% (2007 est.) |
Ports and harbors | Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen | - |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) | AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) |
Railways | total: 166 km (single-track)
standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge note: Suriname railroads are not in operation (2001) |
- |
Religions | Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5% | Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5% |
Sex ratio | 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.033 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.992 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.988 male(s)/female (2007 est.) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
Telephone system | general assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
general assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
Telephones - main lines in use | 64,000 (1997) | 81,500 (2006) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 4,090 (1997) | 320,000 (2006) |
Television broadcast stations | 3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000) | 3 (plus 7 repeaters) (2000) |
Terrain | mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps | mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps |
Total fertility rate | 2.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) | 2.03 children born/woman (2007 est.) |
Unemployment rate | 17% (2000) | 9.5% (2004) |
Waterways | 1,200 km
note: most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways |
1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2005) |