2000 Edition

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 brought about a democratic election.

Area

land

161,470 sq km

total

163,270 sq km

water

1,800 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline

386 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m

lowest point

unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 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, 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

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Geography - note

mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, 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

border countries

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

total

1,707 km

Land use

arable land

0%

forests and woodland

96%

other

4% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

0%

permanent pastures

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 hazards

NA

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, 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: 32% (male 70,871; female 67,466) 15-64 years: 62% (male 137,209; female 131,905) 65 years and over: 6% (male 10,907; female 12,945) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

21.08 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2000 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%, "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%

Infant mortality rate

25.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 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

74.14 years (2000 est.)

male

68.71 years

total population

71.36 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91% (1995 est.)

male

95%

total population

93%

Nationality

adjective

Surinamese

noun

Surinamer(s)

Net migration rate

-8.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

431,303 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

0.65% (2000 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.5 children born/woman (2000 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

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Suriname

conventional short form

Suriname

former

Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

local long form

Republiek Suriname

local short form

Suriname

Data code

NS

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Dennis K. HAYS

embassy

Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo

mailing address

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

telephone

472900, 477881, 476459

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Arnold Theodoor HALFHIDE

telephone

(202) 244-7488

Executive branch

cabinet

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

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

election results

Jules WIJDENBOSCH elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA; National Assembly failed to elect the president; results reflect votes cast by the People's Assembly - Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) received 438 votes, Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) received 407 votes

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 People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 23 May 1996; runoff election held 5 September 1996 (next to be held NA May 2000)

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

note

widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the calling of elections a year early

FAX

(202) 244-5878

420800

consulate(s) general

Miami

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

constitutional democracy

Independence

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Court of Justice, justices nominated for life

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 16, NF 14, BVD 5, KTPI 5, Pertjaja Luhur 4, The Progressive Development Alliance 3, DA '91 2, OPDA 2

elections

last held 23 May 1996 (next to be held NA May 2000)

note

widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the calling of elections a year early

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Forum or AF [Rick VAN RAVENSWAY]; Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a coalition of the AF and BEP, formed in January 1991) ; Democratic Party or DP ; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA ; National Democratic Party or NDP ; National Party of Suriname or NPS [Ronald VENETIAAN]; Naya Kadam ; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP ; Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD ; Party of National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI ; Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF ; Pertjaja Luhur ; Progressive Reform Party or VHP ; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU ; Reformed Progressive Party or HPP ; Suriname Labor Party or SPA ; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties NPS, VHP, SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) ; The Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of two parties, HPP and PVF) [Harry KISOENSINGH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP ; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement ; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp

Budget

expenditures

$403 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.)

revenues

$393 million

Currency

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

Debt - external

$175.6 million (1998 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998)

Economy - overview

The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. After assuming power in the fall of 1996, the WIJDENBOSCH government ended the structural adjustment program of the previous government, 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 the Netherlands deteriorated. Economic growth slowed in 1998, with decline in the mining, construction, and utility sectors. Rampant government expenditures, poor tax collection, a bloated civil service, and reduced foreign aid in 1999 contributed to the fiscal deficit, estimated at 11% of GDP. The government sought to cover this deficit through monetary expansion, which led to a dramatic increase in inflation and exchange rate depreciation. 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.

Electricity - consumption

1.867 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

2.008 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

24.65%

hydro

75.35%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (1998)

Exchange rates

Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - 995 (December 1999), 710 (May 1999), 850 (January 1999); central

bank midpoint rate

639.50 (1st Qtr 1999), 401.00 (1998), 401.00 (1997), 401.26 (1996), 442.23 (1995); parallel rate: 1,325 (December 1999), 2000 (May 1999), 800 (December 1998), 412 (December 1995)

note

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

Exports

$406.1 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities

alumina, aluminum, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas

Exports - partners

Norway 24%, Netherlands 23.8%, US 21.7%, France 7.3%, Japan 4.9%, UK (1998 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $1.48 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

13%

industry

22%

services

65% (1998 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-1% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$461.4 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 31.2%, Netherlands 17.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 16.1%, Japan 4.3%, UK 4%, Brazil (1998)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (1994 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

170% (1999 est.)

Labor force

100,000

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

20% (1997)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

300,000 (1997)

Telephone system

international facilities good

domestic

microwave radio relay network

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

56,844 (1996)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3,671 (1995)

Television broadcast stations

3 (plus seven repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

63,000 (1997)

Airports

46 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

5 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

1,178 km

total

4,530 km

unpaved

3,352 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1 (1999 est.)

total

3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,432 GRT/4,525 DWT

Ports and harbors

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

Military branches

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$8.5 million (FY97 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.6% (FY97 est.)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 120,152 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 70,580 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

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

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined mostly for Europe

SVALBARD