Suriname

Internet country code

.sr

Internet hosts

28 (2007)

Internet users

32,000 (2005)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telephone system

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

Telephones - main lines in use

81,500 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular

320,000 (2006)

Television broadcast stations

3 (plus 7 repeaters) (2000)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

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

Currency (code)

Surinam dollar (SRD)

Debt - external

$504.3 million (2005 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$43.97 million note: Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (2005)

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, Maersk, and Occidental. Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006.

Electricity - consumption

1.423 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - production

1.53 billion kWh (2005)

Exchange rates

Surinamese dollars per US dollar - (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003), 2.3468 (2002) 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 replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket

Exports

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

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Norway 23%, Canada 15.5%, US 12.6%, Belgium 10.1%, France 8.5%, UAE 6.9%, Iceland 4.2% (2006)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.398 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.136 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services: 65% (2001)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,100 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 29.4%, Netherlands 18.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.9%, Japan 5.1%, China 4.9% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (1994 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.5% (2005 est.)

Labor force

156,700 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 8% industry: 14% services: 78% (2004)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,200 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

3,151 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports

6,032 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - production

9,462 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

111 million bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line

70% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.5% (2004)

Area

total: 163,270 sq km land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline

386 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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

Irrigated land

510 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 1,703 km border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Land use

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

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

name: Paramaribo geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie SCHREIBER HUGHES embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: US Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472-900 FAX: [597] 425-690

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Ruben Constantijn KROSS chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami

Executive branch

chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ramdien 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) 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 (no term limits); election last held on 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

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 the Netherlands)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NF 39.7%, NDP 22.2%, VVV 13.8%, A-Com 7.2%, A-1 5.9%, other 11.2%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

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, Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91, an independent, business-oriented party [Winston JESSURUN], National Party Suriname or NPS [Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ramdien 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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. 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 exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since, expanding to eight parties in 2005.

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 111,582 females age 18-49: 103,769 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 77,793 females age 18-49: 72,943 (2005 est.)

Military branches

National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.6% (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.); no conscription

Age structure

0-14 years: 28% (male 67,088/female 64,949) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 154,148/female 155,345) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 12,726/female 16,528) (2007 est.)

Birth rate

17.31 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate

5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2007 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%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

5,200 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 20.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 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), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73.23 years male: 70.52 years female: 76.12 years (2007 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.6% male: 92% female: 87.2% (2004 census)

Median age

total: 27.1 years male: 26.7 years female: 27.5 years (2007 est.)

Nationality

noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese

Net migration rate

-0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population

470,784 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate

1.103% (2007 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.033 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.992 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.988 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.03 children born/woman (2007 est.)

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

Airports

50 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 45 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 40 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2007)

Pipelines

oil 51 km (2006)

Ports and terminals

Paramaribo

Roadways

total: 4,304 km paved: 1,130 km unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)

Waterways

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