Suriname

§1. Suriname Introduction

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 1990, the military overthrew the civilian
  government, but a democratically elected government returned to power in
  1991.

§2. Suriname Geography

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

Geographic coordinates:
  4 00 N, 56 00 W

Map references:
  South_America

Area:
  total: 163,270 km²
  land: 161,470 km²
  water: 1,800 km²

Area - comparative:
  slightly larger than Georgia

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

Coastline:
  386 km

Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:
  tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain:
  mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
  highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

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

Land use:
  arable land: 0.36%
  permanent crops: 0.06%
  other: 99.58% (2005)

Irrigated land:
  490 km² (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
  NA

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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
    Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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

§3. Suriname People

Population:
  439,117 (July 2006 est.)

Age structure:
  0-14 years: 29% (male 65,412/female 62,069)
  15-64 years: 64.7% (male 145,913/female 138,076)
  65 years and over: 6.3% (male 12,223/female 15,424) (2006 est.)

Median age:
  total: 26.5 years
  male: 26 years
  female: 26.9 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate:
  0.2% (2006 est.)

Birth rate:
  18.02 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate:
  7.27 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate:
  -8.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
  total: 23.02 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 26.89 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 18.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 69.01 years
  male: 66.66 years
  female: 71.47 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate:
  2.32 children born/woman (2006 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  1.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  5,200 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:
  noun: Surinamer(s)
  adjective: Surinamese

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%

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

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

Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 88%
  male: 92.3%
  female: 84.1% (2000 est.)

§4. Suriname Government

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

Government type:
  constitutional democracy

Capital:
  Paramaribo

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

Independence:
  25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

National holiday:
  Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Constitution:
  ratified 30 September 1987

Legal system:
  based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts
  compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000);
    Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the president is
    both the chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August
    2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the
    president is both the chief of state and head of government
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly
    or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a
    two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two
    votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893
    representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for
    five-year terms; election last held 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
  election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president; percent of
    vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR 35.4%, other 1.7%;
    note - after two votes in the parliament failed to secure a two-thirds
    majority for a candidate, the vote then went to a special session of the
    United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005

Legislative branch:
  unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are
  elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
  elections: last held 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NF 39.73%, NDP 22.2%, VVV
    13.79%, A-Com 7.21%, A-1 5.86%, other 7.42%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP
    15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3

Judicial branch:
  Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are
  nominated for life)

Political parties and leaders:
  Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Amazone Party of Suriname or APS
  [Kenneth VAN GENDEREN], Democrats of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto
  MOESTADJA], Nieuw Suriname or NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political Wing of
  the FAL or PVF [Jiwan SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti JESSURUN]);
  General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; National
  Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and
  Development or NF (a coalition which includes A-Combination or A-Com
  [leader NA], Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91 which split from the A-1
  before the elections of May 2005 and are an independent, business-oriented
  party [Winston JESSURUN], National Party Suriname or NPS [Ronald
  VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ram SARDJOE], Pertjaja Luhur or PL
  [Salam Paul SOMOHARDJO], Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]);
  Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Marten SCHALKWIJK];
  People's Alliance for Progress or VVV (a coalition of Democratic National
  Platform 2000 or DNP- 2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots Party for
  Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for National Unity and
  Solidarity of the Highest Order or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], Party for
  Progression, Justice, and Perseverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima
  or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU
  [Jim HOK]; Progressive Political Party or PPP [Surinder MUNGRA]; Seeka
  [Paul ABENA]; Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of
  Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament
  Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]

International organization participation:
  ACP, Caricom, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,
  IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS,
  OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,
  WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES
  chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488
  FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
  consulate(s) general: Miami

Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Marsha E. BARNES
  embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
  mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington,
    DC, 20521-3390
  telephone: [597] 472-900
  FAX: [597] 425-690

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

§5. Suriname Economy

Economy - overview:
  The economy is dominated by the mining industry, which accounts for more
  than a third of GDP and subjects government revenues to mineral price
  volatility. 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. Suriname's economic prospects for the
  medium term will depend on continued 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, in his
  first term, implemented an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted
  to control spending. Economic policies are likely to remain the same during
  VENETIAAN's second term. Prospects for local onshore oil production are
  good, as a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil drilling was given a
  boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration
  agreements with Repsol, Mearsk, and Occidental.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $2.081 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
  $1.355 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
  2% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $4,100 (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
  agriculture: 13%
  industry: 22%
  services: 65% (2001)

Labor force:
  156,700 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture 8%, industry 14%, services 78%

Unemployment rate:
  9.5% (2004)

Population below poverty line:
  70% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  9.5% (2005 est.)

Budget:
  revenues: $392.6 million
  expenditures: $425.9 million (2004)

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

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

Industrial production growth rate:
  6.5% (1994 est.)

Electricity - production:
  2.014 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - consumption:
  1.873 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:
  12,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:
  14,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:
  1,370 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:
  1,644 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:
  150 million bbl (2005)

Natural gas - production:
  0 m³ (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
  0 m³ (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 m³ (2005)

Exports:
  $881 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:
  alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas

Exports - partners:
  Norway 29.4%, US 15.2%, Canada 12.5%, Belgium 10.3%, France 8.4%, UAE 6.2%
  (2004)

Imports:
  $750 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:
  capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports - partners:
  US 26.2%, Netherlands 19.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.5%, Japan 6.6%, China
  4.6%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:
  $504.3 million (2005 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
  Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance,
  European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (2003)

Currency (code):
  Surinam dollar (SRD)

Exchange rates:
  Surinamese dollars per US dollar - 2.7317 (2005), Surinamese guilders per
  US dollar - 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003), 2.3468 (2002), 2.1785 (2001)
  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; in January 2004, the
    government introduced the Surinamese dollar as replacement for the
    guilder, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket

Fiscal year:
  calendar year

§6. Suriname Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
  81,300 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
  212,800 (2004)

Telephone system:
  general assessment: international facilities are good
  domestic: microwave radio relay network
  international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat
    (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:
  3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)

Internet country code:
  .sr

Internet hosts:
  122 (2005)

Internet users:
  30,000 (2005)

§7. Suriname Transportation

Airports:
  47 (2005)

Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 5
  over 3,047 m: 1
  under 914 m: 4 (2005)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 42
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 5
  under 914 m: 36 (2005)

Pipelines:
  oil 51 km (2004)

Roadways:
  total: 4,492 km
  paved: 1,168 km
  unpaved: 3,324 km (2002)

Waterways:
  1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2005)

Merchant marine:
  total: 1 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT
  by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Ports and terminals:
  Paramaribo

§8. Suriname Military

Military branches:
  National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements)

Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age (est.); no conscription

Manpower available for military service:
  males age 18-49: 111,582 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 18-49: 77,793 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
  $7.5 million (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
  0.7% (2003 est.)

§9. Suriname Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini
  (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between
  the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters
  of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the
  Sea (UNCLOS) arbitration to resolve the long- standing dispute with
  Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially
  oil-rich waters

Illicit drugs:
  growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe
  via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs
  dealing


<Factbook 2006>
