1996 Edition

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

Location

4 00 N, 56 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly larger than Georgia

land area

161,470 sq km

total area

163,270 sq km

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline

386 km

Environment

current issues

deforestation as foreign producers obtain timber concessions

international agreements

party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

natural hazards

NA

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Geographic note

mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna which for the most part is not threatened because of the lack of development; relatively small population most of which lives along the coast

International disputes

claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa Rivier); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)

Irrigated land

590 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

total

1,707 km

Land use

arable land

NEGL%

forest and woodland

97%

meadows and pastures

0%

other

3%

permanent crops

0%

Location

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold

Terrain

mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

highest point

Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m

lowest point

unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m

Age structure

0-14 years: 34% (male 74,959; female 71,500) 15-64 years: 62% (male 136,287; female 132,407) 65 years and over: 4% (male 9,930; female 11,335) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate

24.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

5.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

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%, "Bush Black" (also known as "Bush Creole" whose ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves) 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1%, other 1.1%

Infant mortality rate

29.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

72.7 years (1996 est.)

male

67.51 years

total population

70.04 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

female

91%

male

95.1%

total population

93%

Nationality

adjective

Surinamese

noun

Surinamer(s)

Net migration rate

-2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

436,418 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

1.6% (1996 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

all ages

1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica

Capital

Paramaribo

Constitution

ratified 30 September 1987

Data code

NS

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT

telephone

[1] (202) 244-7488, 7490 through 7492

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

chief of state and head of government

President Ronald R. VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991) and Prime Minister Jules R. AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991), who is also the vice president, were elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly; election last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes)

note

Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power

FAX

[1] (202) 244-5878

[597] 420800

consulate(s) general

Miami

Flag

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

Independence

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

International organization participation

ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, justices nominated for life

Legal system

NA

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

conventional long form

Republic of Suriname

conventional short form

Suriname

former

Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

local long form

Republiek Suriname

local short form

Suriname

National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)

elections last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 10, DA '91 9, independents 2

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Other political or pressure groups

Surinamese Liberation Army (SLA), Ronnie BRUNSWIJK, Johan "Castro" WALLY; Union for Liberation and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica, Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO

Political parties and leaders

The New Front (NF), a coalition of four parties (NPS, VHP, KTPI, SPA), leader Ronald R. VENETIAAN; Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Ronald VENETIAAN; Party of National Unity and Solidarity (KTPI), Willy SOEMITA; Suriname Labor Party (SPA), Fred DERBY; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), a coalition of two parties (AF, and BEP) formed in January 1991, Winston JESSURUN; Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY; Pendawa Lima, Marsha JAMIN; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire BOUTERSE; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir Iwan KROLIS; The Alliance, a combination of three parties (DP, HPP, PVF), Ernie BRUNINGS; Democratic Party (DP), Ernie BRUNINGS; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Harry KISOENSINGH; Party of the Federation of Land Workers PVF), Jwan SITAL

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

republic

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador Roger R. GAMBLE

embassy

Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo

mailing address

P. O. Box 1821, American Embassy Paramaribo, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-3390

telephone

[597] 472900, 477881, 476459

Agriculture

paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chicken; forest products and shrimp of increasing importance

Budget

expenditures

$700 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1994 est.)

revenues

$300 million

Currency

1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents

Economic aid

recipient

ODA, $NA

Economic overview

The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for upwards of 15% of GDP and more than 65% of export earnings. Following a dismal year in 1994 which saw the value of the Surinamese currency plummet by about 80%, inflation rise to more than 600%, and national output fall for the fifth consecutive year, nearly all economic indicators improved in 1995. The VENETIAAN government unified the exchange rate and the currency gained some of its lost value. In addition, inflation fell to double digits and tax revenues increased sufficiently to nearly erase the budget deficit. The release of substantial development aid from the Netherlands - which had been held up due to the government's failure to initiate economic reforms - also helped buoy the economy. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued implementation of needed economic restructuring; the outcome of the national elections in May 1996 will be an important factor in determining future government policy.

Electricity

capacity

420,000 kW

consumption per capita

3,123 kWh (1993)

production

1.4 billion kWh

Exchange rates

Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - central bank midpoint rate: 402.32 (December 1995), 442.23 (1995), 134.12 (1994); parallel rate: 412 (December 1995), 510 (December 1994), 109 (January 1994)

note

beginning July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate was unified and became market determined

Exports

$293.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)

commodities

alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas

partners

Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1992)

External debt

$180 million (March 1993 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

21.6%

industry

23.7%

services

54.7% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita

$2,950 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

0.7% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe

Imports

$194.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)

commodities

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

partners

US 42%, Netherlands 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Brazil 5% (1992)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food processing, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

62% (1995)

Labor force

98,240

by occupation

agriculture, industry, services

Unemployment rate

NA%

Branches

National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police

Defense expenditures

$NA, NA% of GDP

Manpower availability

males age 15-49

119,010

males fit for military service

70,400 (1996 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 1

Radios

290,256 (1993 est.)

Telephone system

international facilities good

domestic

microwave radio relay network

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones

43,522 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations

6 (1987 est.)

Televisions

59,598 (1993 est.) Defense

Airports

total

38

with paved runways over 3 047 m

1

with paved runways under 914 m

31

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

6 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

1,162 km

total

4,470 km

unpaved

3,308 km (1990)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 1, container 1 (1995 est.)

total

2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT

Ports

Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen

Railways

narrow gauge

86 km 1.000-m gauge

standard gauge

80 km 1.435-m gauge

total

166 km (single track)

Waterways

1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways