2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

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.)

Area

land

161,470 sq km

total

163,270 sq km

water

1,800 sq km

Area - comparative

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. Geography Suriname

Birth rate

19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Capital

Paramaribo

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline

386 km

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

Death rate

6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Juliana Top 1,230 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, 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

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%

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

Geographic coordinates

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 People Suriname

Government type

constitutional democracy

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

330 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,700 (2001 est.)

Independence

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

Infant mortality rate

female

20.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

28.93 deaths/1,000 live births

total

24.74 deaths/1,000 live births

Irrigated land

490 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

1,707 km

Land use

arable land

0.37%

note

there are 95,000 hectares of arable land, 7,000 hectares of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures (1998 est.)

other

99.57%

permanent crops

0.06%

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

Legal system

based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory

Life expectancy at birth

female

71.78 years (2003 est.)

male

66.79 years

total population

69.23 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91% (1995 est.) Government Suriname

male

95%

total population

93%

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

Median age

female

26 years (2002)

male

25.1 years

total

25.5 years

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Nationality

adjective

Surinamese

noun

Surinamer(s)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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.)

Population

435,449 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate

0.37% (2003 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

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Terrain

mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Total fertility rate

2.4 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

46 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1

total

5

under 914 m

4 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m

35 (2002) Military Suriname

Budget

expenditures

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

revenues

$393 million

Currency

Surinamese guilder (SRG)

Currency code

SRG

Debt - external

$321 million (2002 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES

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

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. 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.

Electricity - consumption

1.822 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

1.959 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

25.2%

hydro

74.8%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

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

Exports

$445 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

alumina, 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)

FAX

[1] (202) 244-5878

[597] 420800

chancery

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

consulate(s) general

Miami

telephone

[1] (202) 244-7488

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Suriname

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 Economy Suriname

GDP

purchasing power parity - $1.469 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

13%

industry

22%

services

65% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2002 est.)

Highways

paved

1,168 km

total

4,492 km

unpaved

3,324 km (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$300 million f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

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)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (1994 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

17% (2002 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

Internet country code

.sr

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (2000)

Internet users

14,500 (2002) Transportation Suriname

Judicial branch

Court of Justice (justices are nominated for life)

Labor force

100,000

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Nationale 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 - NF 33, MC 10, DNP 2000 3, DA '91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1

elections

last held 5 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

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 1, container 1 (2002 est.)

total

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

Military branches

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.6% (FY97 est.) Transnational Issues Suriname

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.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption

10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

37 million bbl (37257)

Pipelines

oil 51 km (2003)

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]

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]

Population below poverty line

70% (2002 est.)

Ports and harbors

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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

300,000 (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

86 km 1.000-m gauge

note

Suriname railroads are not in operation (2001)

standard gauge

80 km 1.435-m gauge

total

166 km (single-track)

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay network

general assessment

international facilities are good

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

64,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4,090 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)

Televisions

63,000 (1997)

Unemployment rate

17% (2000)

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