Surinam

Abundance is one of the prime characteristics of the country Suriname. The richness of its natural setting, in the middle of tropical rainforests and mighty rivers, is mirrored in its multi-ethnic population and exquisite, varied cuisine. Suriname is situated just north of the Equator, with French Guyana to its east, Guyana to its west and Brazil to its south while the northern border is formed by its Atlantic coast. This former Dutch colony became independent in 1975 and is currently the only Dutch-speaking region in the Western Hemisphere outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In spite of the country’s touristic potential, its economy is still heavily dependent on mining and the export of aluminium oxide. In Suriname there is much to be explored: in terms of its business opportunities as well as the country’s natural beauty and rich cultural and historical heritage. 

Capital	Paramaribo
Other towns	• Albina • Lelydorp • Nieuw Nickere
Language(s)	Dutch, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Sranan Tongo, Javanese, Maroon and other ethnic languagues
Population	Approximately 481,000 inhabitants
Political Status	Constitutional democracy
Area	163,800 km²  (101,283 sq. miles)
Currency	Surinamese dollar (SRD) and US Dollar
Climate	Tropical climate with two dry seasons and an average temperature of 27 °C (80.6 °F) and two rainy seasons.
Selected Main Attractions	The Suriname Museum, housed in Fort Zeelandia, Paramaribo, Onafhankelijkheidsplein with the Palm garden behind it, Cola Creek, Galibi nature reserve (sea turtle nesting area), Brownsberg nature park and the Raleighvallen (waterfalls)
Shopping	Paramaribo for gold and silver, jewelry, electronics, clothing and gifts
Electrical Current	110 V/60 Hz and 220V/50Hz

Last Updated on Friday, 23 July 2010 19:37