Republic of Suriname Republiek Suriname (Dutch) | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Justitia – Pietas – Fides (Latin) Gerechtigheid – Vroomheid – Vertrouwen (Dutch) "Justice – Piety – Trust" | |
| Anthem: God zij met ons Suriname (Dutch) "God be with our Suriname" | |
 Land controlled by Suriname shown in dark green; claimed land shown in light green. | |
| Capital and largest city | Paramaribo 5°50′N 55°10′W / 5.833°N 55.167°W |
| Official languages | Dutch |
| Recognised regional languages | |
| Other languages | |
| Ethnic groups |
|
| Religion (2012)[7] |
|
| Demonym(s) | Surinamese |
| Government | Unitary assembly-independent republic |
| Chan Santokhi | |
| Ronnie Brunswijk | |
| Marinus Bee | |
| Iwan Rasoelbaks (acting) | |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence from the Netherlands | |
| 15 December 1954 | |
• Independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands | 25 November 1975 |
| Area | |
• Total | 163,820[8][5][6] km2 (63,250 sq mi) (90th) |
• Water (%) | 1.1 |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 632,638[8][9] (170th) |
• Density | 3.9/km2 (10.1/sq mi) (231st) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total |  $11.435 billion[10] (160th) |
• Per capita | $18,311[10] (91st) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $3.539 billion[10] (173rd) |
• Per capita |  $5,667[10] (106th) |
| HDI (2022) | 0.690[11] medium (124th) |
| Currency | Surinamese dollar (SRD) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (SRT) |
| Drives on | left |
| Calling code | +597 |
| ISO 3166 code | SR |
| Internet TLD | .sr |
Suriname (/ˈsʊərɪnæm, -nɑːm/ SOOR-in-A(H)M, Dutch: [syːriˈnaːmə] , Sranan Tongo: [sraˈnãŋ]), officially the Republic of Suriname (Dutch: Republiek Suriname [reːpyˈblik syːriˈnaːmə]), is a country in northern South America, sometimes considered part of the Caribbean and the West Indies. Suriname is a developing country with a medium level of human development; its economy is heavily dependent on its abundant natural resources, namely bauxite, gold, petroleum, and agricultural products. Suriname is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United Nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Situated slightly north of the equator, over 90% of its territory is covered by rainforests, the highest proportion of forest cover in the world. Suriname is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south. It is the smallest country in South America by both population and territory,[a] with around 612,985 inhabitants in an area of approximately 163,820 square kilometers (63,251 square miles).[9][13][14][15] The capital and largest city is Paramaribo, which is home to roughly half the population.
Suriname was inhabited as early as the fourth millennium BC by various indigenous peoples, including the Arawaks, Caribs, and Wayana. Europeans arrived and contested the area in the 16th century, with the Dutch controlling much of the country's current territory by the late 17th century. Under Dutch rule, Suriname was a lucrative plantation colony focused mostly on sugar; its economy was driven by African slave labour until the abolition of slavery in 1863, after which indentured servants were recruited mostly from British India and the Dutch East Indies. In 1954, Suriname became a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 25 November 1975, it became independent following negotiations with the Dutch government. Suriname continues to maintain close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with the Netherlands.
Suriname's culture and society strongly reflect the legacy of Dutch colonial rule. It is the only sovereign nation outside Europe where Dutch is the official and prevailing language of government, business, media, and education;[16] an estimated 60% of the population speaks Dutch as a native language.[17] Sranan Tongo, an English-based creole language, is a widely used lingua franca. Most Surinamese are descendants of slaves and indentured labourers brought from Africa and Asia by the Dutch. Suriname is highly diverse, with no ethnic group forming a majority; proportionally, its Muslim and Hindu populations are some of the largest in the Americas. Most people live along the northern coast, centered around Paramaribo, making Suriname one of the least densely populated countries on Earth.
- ^ Suriname: An Asian Immigrant and the Organic Creation of the Caribbean's Most Unique Fusion Culture, archived from the original on 20 February 2017, retrieved 19 July 2017
- ^ "Censusstatistieken 2012" (PDF). Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek in Suriname (General Statistics Bureau of Suriname). p. 76. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
- ^ "The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency". cia.gov. 29 September 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Censuswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Census statistieken 2012". Statistics-suriname.org. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Definitieve Resultaten (Vol I) Etniciteit". Presentatie Evaluatie Rapport CENSUS 8: 42.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
CENSUS2012was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Suriname". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 24 September 2022. (Archived 2022 edition.)
- ^ a b "Suriname country profile". BBC News. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Suriname)". International Monetary Fund. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ Nations, United (13 March 2024). Human Development Report 2023-24 (Report). United Nations.
- ^ "GINI index". World Bank. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ "Suriname". Central Intelligence Agency. 29 November 2023 – via CIA.gov.
- ^ "World Population Prospects 2022". United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100" (XSLX) ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ciawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Taalonderzoek in Nederland, Vlaanderen en Suriname (2005)". taal:unie. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
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