1998 Edition

Area

total: 163,270 sq km land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km

Area-comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline

386 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m

Environment-current issues

deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities

Environment-international agreements

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

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Geography-note

mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna which for the most part is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population most of which lives along the coast

Irrigated land

600 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Land use

arable land: NA permanent crops: NA permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 96% other: 4% (1993 est.)

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 hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Age structure

0-14 years: 33% (male 72,945; female 69,468) 15-64 years: 62% (male 133,840; female 129,452) 65 years and over: 5% (male 10,309; female 11,966) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

22.48 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

5.79 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

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 15.3%, "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%, white 1%, other 1.1%

Infant mortality rate

27.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 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

total population: 70.61 years male: 68.05 years female: 73.29 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese

Net migration rate

-8.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

427,980 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

0.77% (1998 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

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: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.59 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

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

Constitution

ratified 30 September 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

Data code

NS

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jules WIJDENBOSCH (since 14 September 1996); Vice President Pretaapnarian RADHAKISHUN (since 14 September 1996); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jules WIJDENBOSCH (since 14 September 1996); Vice President Pretaapnarian RADHAKISHUN (since 14 September 1996); 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 note: First Advisor of State maintains significant power elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority vote in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger Peoples Assembly (the National Assembly members and 289 local and regional councillors), for five-year terms; election last held 23 May 1996; runoff election held 5 September 1996 (next to be held NA May 2001) election results: Jules WIJDENBOSCH elected president; percent of legislative vote NA; National Assembly failed to elect president; results reflect the People's Assembly votes-Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 438, Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 407

FAX

[1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis K. HAYS embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: P. O. Box 1821, Paramaribo; pouch address: American Embassy Paramaribo, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900, 477881, 476459

[597] 420800

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

Government type

republic

Independence

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

International organization participation

ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arnold Theodoor HALFHIDE chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, justices nominated for life Political parties and leaders: The New Front (NF), a coalition of three parties (NPS, VHP, 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 parties (AF, and BEP) formed in January 1991, Winston JESSURUN; Alternative Forum (AF), Rick VAN RAVENSWAY; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY; Pendawa Lima, Paul SOMOHARDJO; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire BOUTERSE; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir Iwan KROLIS; The Progressive Development Alliance, a combination of two parties (HPP, PVF), Harry KISOENSINGH; Democratic Party (DP), Frank PLAYFAIR; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Harry KISOENSINGH; Party of the Federation of Land Workers PVF), Jwan SITAL; Party for Renewal and Democracy (BVD), Atta MUNGRA; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative (OPDA), Joginder RAMKHILAWAN Political pressure groups and leaders: Union for Liberation and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica, Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO; General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP), Ronnie BRUNSWIJK

Legal system

based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or National Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 May 1996 (next to be held NA May 2001) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NDP 16, NF 14, BVD 5, KTPI 5, Pendawa Lima 4, Alliance 3, DA '91 2, OPDA 2

National capital

Paramaribo

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture-products

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

Budget

revenues: $317 million expenditures: $333 million, including capital expenditures of $52 million (1997 est.)

Currency

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

Debt-external

$216 million (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: the Netherlands provided a 1996 aid package of $224 million to Suriname, Aruba, and the Netherlands Antilles

Economy-overview

The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Following a dismal year in 1994-which saw the value of the Surinamese guilder plummet by about 70%, inflation rise to more than 600%, and national output fall for the fifth consecutive year-nearly all economic indicators improved in 1995-97. The VENETIAAN government unified the exchange rate as part of its structural adjustment program (SAP). After assuming power in the fall of 1996, the WIJDENBOSCH government ended the SAP claiming it was unfair to the poorer elements of society. Tax revenues fell as old taxes lapsed and the government failed to implement new tax alternatives. By the end of 1997, the allocation of new Dutch development funds was frozen as Surinamese government relations with Holland deteriorated. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewed commitment to financially responsible monetary and fiscal policies.

Electricity-capacity

425,000 kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

3,727 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

1.601 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates

Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1-central bank midpoint rate: 401.00 (January 1998), 401.00 (1997), 401.26 (1996), 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

total value: $434.3 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1994)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$1.44 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 14% industry: 33% services: 53% (1994)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$3,400 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

4% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $490 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods partners: US 40%, Netherlands 24%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 3% (1994)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (1994 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate-consumer price index

8% (1997 est.)

Labor force

NA by occupation: agriculture, industry, services

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 32, 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

10 (1998 est.)

Televisions

59,598 (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

20% (1997)

Airports

45 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 33 (1997 est.)

Highways

total: 4,530 km paved: 1,178 km unpaved: 3,352 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (1996 est.)

Railways

total: 166 km (single track) standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge

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 Ports and harbors: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen

Military branches

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

Military expenditures-dollar figure

$8.5 million (1997 est.)

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

1.6% (1997 est.)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 117,031 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 68,985 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

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 [Kutari] Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined mostly for Europe (territory of Norway)