Surinam

Surinam A country on the north-east coast of South America, known until 1948 as Dutch Guiana.

Physical

Surinam is sandwiched between Guyana and French Guiana, with Brazil to the south. The climate is equatorial. Thick forest covers most of the interior, which rises to highlands in the centre. Rice and sugar cane can be grown on the coast.

Economy

Dutch and US aid, on which the economy depends, was suspended in 1980, following a military coup, but was restored in 1988 after democratic elections. Surinam's exports are dominated by bauxite and its aluminium products but production was disrupted by civil war. Bauxite-smelting and food-processing are the main industries. Agriculture is restricted to the alluvial coastal area, rice being the main crop.

History

Surinam's name is taken from the name of its earliest inhabitants, the Surinen, who had been driven out of the area by other South American Indians by the time Europeans arrived. Surinam was claimed by Spain in 1593 but was colonized by the Dutch from the beginning of the 17th century. The territory alternated between British and Dutch control until the Netherlands received it in a treaty settlement of 1815. In the 17th century African slaves had begun to be imported. By the late 19th century plantation labour was recruited from India and Java. The ethnic diversity of Surinam resulted in increasing racial and political strife after World War II. In 1954 Surinam became an equal partner in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and full independence was granted in 1975. After several years of party strife the military took over in 1980. In 1986 an extended guerrilla protest by the Surinamese Liberation Army (SLA) was launched, organized from the jungle in neighbouring French Guyanne. In 1988 civilian rule was restored, following elections, but the military retained great influence. In 1990 a new military coup was staged, but in 1991 a coalition of opposition parties, the New Front for Democracy and Development, led by Ronald Venetiaan, won elections. A peace agreement with the SLA was made in 1992. Drug trafficking, gun-running, and money laundering all remained problems. After elections in 1996 a new coalition government led by the National Democratic Party was formed, and Jules Wijdenbosch was elected President.

Capital:	Paramaribo
Area:	163,820 sq km (63,251 sq miles)
Population:	418,000 (1998 est)
Currency:	1 Suriname guilder = 100 cents
Religions:	Hindu 27.0%; Roman Catholic 23.0%; Muslim 20.0%; Protestant (mostly Moravian) 19.0%
Ethnic Groups:	East Indian 35.0%; Creole 32.0%; Indonesian 15.0%; African (bush negro) 10.0%; Amerindian 3.0%; Chinese 3.0%; European 1.0%
Languages:	Dutch (official); English; Sronan Tongo; Spanish; Hindi; Javanese; Chinese; local Amerindian and pidgin languages
International Organizations:	UN; OAS