Where is Suriname?
The Republic of Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America. The country is located in northern South America. It has an estimated population of 490,000. The country’s name is believed to be derived from a Taino group called Surinen, who first inhabited the region.
Which countries border Suriname?
The country is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and Atlantic coast to the north.
What is the capital of Suriname?
Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname. It is located on the banks of Suriname River and has an estimated population of 250,000.
Which is the largest city of Suriname?
The capital of Suriname, Paramaribo is the largest city of Suriname. The historic inner city of Paramaribo was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. It has the country’s only cinema, and on Sundays and other holidays there is a popular bird-song competition.
What is the currency of Suriname?
Since 2004, the Suriname dollar has been the currency of Suriname. Its ISO 4217 code is SRD and is divided into 100 cents. Coins are available in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 100, and 250 cents, while notes are available in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.
What are the main ethnic groups in Suriname?
The largest ethnic group in Suriname is the Hindustani, who emigrated from northern India in the 19th Century. Hindustani constitute 37% of the population, followed by Creole community (31%), Javanese (15%), Maroons (10%), and Amerindians (2%).
What is the official language of Suriname?
The official language of Suriname is Dutch. The country became an associate member of the Dutch Language Union in 2004. Along with Dutch, the country has many recognized regional languages. These are: Sranan Tongo, Hindi, Bhojpuri, English, Sarnami, Javanese, Hakka, Malay, etc.
What is the religion of Suriname?
The country has many religious and ethnic groups and the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Overall, 40.7% of the population is Christian, 20% is Hindu, 13.5% is Muslim, while 3.3% follow indigenous religions.
What is the literacy rate in Suriname?
According to the statistics compiled by UNICEF, the estimated literacy rate in Suriname is 91%. The main university in the country is the Anton de Kom university.
Which model of governance is followed in Suriname?
Suriname is a democracy based on the 1987 constitution. The legislative consists of 51-member unicameral National Assembly, elected by the citizen for five years. The country is divided into 10 administrative districts and every district is headed by district commissioner appointed by the president.
Who is the political leader of Suriname?
Desi Bouterse is the president of Suriname. He is the ninth president of the republic, and was elected on July 19, 2010. Robert Ameerali is the vice president.
When is the National Day of Suriname celebrated?
November 25 is celebrated as the National Day of Suriname. The country was a plantation colony of the Netherlands. In 1954, the Dutch granted a limited self-government to Suriname, with the Netherlands retaining control of defense and foreign affairs. On this day in 1975, Dutch government granted full independence to the country.
What is the economy of Suriname like?
Bauxite industry dominates the economy of the country. It comprises more than 15% of the GDP and 70% of export earnings. The estimated GDP of the country is 4.794 billion dollars. Rice, bananas, and shrimp are other main exports. The economy of the country is dependent on commerce. Its main trade partners are Netherlands, United States, Canada and Caribbean countries.
What are the important landmarks in Suriname?
The major landmarks of the country are:
- Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, which is constructed over the river Suriname and was completed in 2000. The Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, which is 114 years old. It was a theater before being converted into a cathedral.
- Suriname is one of the few countries in the world where a synagogue is located next to a mosque. It is located in the center of the capital.