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Also known as: |
Beating
Heart of the Amazon |
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Motto: |
Justita, Pietas, Fides (Justice,
Peace and Prosperity) |
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History |
Originally, Amerindians inhabited the
country up to the 15th century. First explored by the Spaniards in the
16th century, settlers eventually came from England, The Netherlands and
Germany among others. Struggle for possession by the French,
British and Dutch ended when Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. Slavery was
abolished in 1863 and workers were brought in from India and Java. The country gained independence in 1975,
and in February
1980 a military coup brought commander Desi Bouterse into power.
In 1987 national elections were held and democracy was restored.
In October 1997 an attempt to overthrow the government was foiled and a
democratically elected government, a four party - New Front coalition -
gained power and has retained power ever since. In 2005, the coalition
expanded to eight parties. |
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Geography |
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Location: |
On the northern coast of South America,
bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the North, Guyana to the West, French
Guiana to the East and Brazil to the South.
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Geographic
coordinates: |
4 00 N, 56 00 W |
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Area: |
total: 163,820
sq km
country comparison to the world: 98
land: 156,000 sq km
water: 7,820 sq km
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Land boundaries: |
total: 1,703
km
border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
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Coastline: |
386 km
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Maritime claims: |
territorial
sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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Climate: |
tropical;
moderated by trade winds
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Terrain: |
mostly rolling
hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
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Elevation extremes: |
lowest
point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m
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Natural resources: |
timber,
hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of
nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
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Land use: |
arable land:
0.36%
permanent crops: 0.06%
other: 99.58% (2005)
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation
as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by
small-scale mining activities
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Geography - note:
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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
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People |
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Population: |
481,267 (July
2009 est.) |
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Age structure: |
0-14 years:
27.1% (male 66,603/female 64,035)
15-64 years: 66.6% (male 159,525/female 160,871)
65 years and over: 6.3% (male 13,004/female 17,229) (2009 est.)
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Population growth rate: |
1.103% (2009
est.) |
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Birth rate: |
16.8
births/1,000 population (2009 est.) |
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Death rate: |
5.51
deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) |
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Net migration rate: |
-0.26
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) |
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Urbanization: |
urban
population: 75% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.07
male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
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Nationality: |
noun:
Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese
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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%
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Religions: |
Hindu 27.4%,
Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim
19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%
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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
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Literacy:
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definition:age
15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.6%
male: 92%
female: 87.2% (2004 census) |
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Government |
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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 |
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Government type: : |
constitutional democracy |
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Capital: |
name: Paramaribo
geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W |
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Administrative divisions: |
10 districts (distrikten, singular -
distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para,
Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica |
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Independence: |
25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
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National holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January);
Phagwah; Ash Wednesday; Good Friday;
Easter Monday; Id-Ul-Fitr; Labour Day (01 May); Emancipation Day (01
July); Diwali; Independence Day (25 November); Christmas Day (25
December); Boxing Day (26 December) |
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Constitution: |
ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30
October 1987 |
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Legal system: |
based on Dutch legal system incorporating
French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with
reservations |
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Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch: |
chief of state: President H.E. Drs 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 H.E. Drs Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August
2000); Born 18 June 1936, H.E. Drs Runaldo R. Venetiaan received his
Doctoral Degree (Mathematics and Physics) from the University of Leiden,
Netherlands. After a prestigious career in education which included
Minister of Education 1973-80 and again 1988-91, he was elected to the
Presidency in 1991-96 and again in 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 |
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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 |
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Judicial branch: |
Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as
an appellate court (justices are nominated for life); member of the
Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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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
that 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] |
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International organization
participation: |
ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL,
OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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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 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie
SCHREIBER HUGHES
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo
telephone: [597] 472-900
FAX: [597] 410-025 |
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Date of CARICOM Membership: |
4 July 1995 |
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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
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Economy |
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Economic Summary: |
The economy is dominated by the mining
industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about
85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly
vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Prospects for local onshore oil
production are good, and a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil
drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie)
signed exploration agreements with several Western oil companies.
Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006. 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, though investment in these projects may slow with
the tightening of global credit markets. Suriname has received aid for
these projects from Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development
Fund. 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. In 2000, the government of Ronald VENETIAAN, returned to
office and inherited an economy with inflation of over 100% and a
growing fiscal deficit. He quickly implemented an austerity program,
raised taxes, attempted to control spending, and tamed inflation. The
VENETIAAN administration also has created a stabilization fund to
insulate future revenue from commodity shocks. These economic policies
are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$4.254 billion
(2008 est.) |
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$2.984 billion
(2008 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate: |
6% (2008 est.) |
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GDP - per capita (PPP): |
$8,900 (2008
est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture:
10.8%
industry: 24.4%
services: 64.8% (2005 est.)
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Labor force: |
165,600 (2007) |
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Labor force - by occupation: |
agriculture:
8%
industry: 14%
services: 78% (2004)
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Unemployment rate: |
9.5% (2004) |
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Budget: |
revenues:
$392.6 million
expenditures: $425.9 million (2004) |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
6.4% (2007
est.) |
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Agriculture - products: |
paddy rice,
bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens;
shrimp; forest products
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Industries: |
bauxite and
gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing,
fishing
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Industrial production growth rate:
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6.5% (1994
est.) |
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Exports: |
$1.391 billion
(2006 est.) |
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Exports - commodities: |
alumina, gold,
crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
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Exports - partners: |
Canada 36.1%,
Belgium 12.5%, Norway 12.4%, UAE 8.8%, US 7.7% (2008)
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Imports: |
$1.297 billion
(2006 est.) |
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Imports - commodities: |
capital
equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
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Imports - partners: |
US
30.8%, Netherlands 15.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 14%, China 7.6%, Japan
6.4% (2008)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$263.3 million
(2006) |
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Business Hours: |
Commercial: 7:30-16:30hrs Monday to
Friday
7:30-12:30 Saturday
Government: 7:00-15:00 Monday to
Thursday; 7:00-14:30 Friday |
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Exchange rates: |
Surinamese
dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007). note: in January 2004, the
government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US
dollar-dominated currency basket
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Communications |
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Telephones Main lines in use: |
81,500 (2008) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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416,000 (2008) |
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Telephone system: |
general
assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceed 100
telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
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Radio broadcast stations: |
AM 4, FM 13,
shortwave 1 (1998)
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Television broadcast stations:
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3 (plus 7
repeaters) (2000)
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Internet country code: |
.sr
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Internet hosts: |
33 (2008) |
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Internet users: |
44,000 (2007) |
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Transportation |
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Airports: |
50 (2009) Main airports: Johan Adolph Pengel International;
Zanderij |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2009) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways: |
total: 45
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 40 (2009) |
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Pipelines: |
oil 50 km (2008) |
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Roadways: |
total: 4,304 km
country comparison to the world: 155
paved: 1,130 km
unpaved: 3,174 km (2003) |
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Waterways: |
1,200 km (most navigable by ships with
drafts up to 7 m) (2008) |
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Merchant marine: |
total: 1
by type: cargo 1 (2008) |
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Ports and terminals: |
Paramaribo, Wageningen |
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Military |
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National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL;
includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007) |
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Main Source of Information: the Central Intelligence Agency
World Factbook |
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Items of Interest |
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National Anthem: |
God zij met ons Suriname
Hij verheft ons heerlijk Land
Hoe wij hier ook samen kwamen
Aan zijn grond zijn wij verpand
Werkend houden we in gedachten
Recht en Waarheid maken vrij
Al wat goed is te Betrachten
Dat geeft aan ons land waardij.
Opo kondre man Un opo
Sranan gron e kari un
Wans' ope tata komopo
Wi mus' seti kondre bun
Stre def' stre Wi no sa frede
Gado de wi fesiman
Heri libi te na dede
Wi sa feti gi Sranan
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Highest National Award: |
Drager van het Groot Lint in de Ere; Orde
van de Palm |
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Favourite local cuisine: |
Local specialties include dishes from India
(roti), Indonesian cuisine such as rijsttafel (rice and meat and
vegetable side dishes), Creole dishes including pom (ground tayer roots
and chicken) and Chinese cuisine. |
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