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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

2 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.sr

Internet users [time series]

10,000 (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

300,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

64,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4,090 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)

Televisions [time series]

63,000 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $393 million expenditures: $403 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Surinamese guilder (SRG)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

SRG

Debt - external [time series]

$512 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. After assuming power in the fall of 1996, the WIJDENBOSCH government ended the structural adjustment program of the previous government, claiming it was unfair to the poorer elements of society. Tax revenues fell as old taxes lapsed and the government failed to implement new tax alternatives. By the end of 1997, the allocation of new Dutch development funds was frozen as Surinamese Government relations with the Netherlands deteriorated. Economic growth slowed in 1998, with decline in the mining, construction, and utility sectors. Rampant government expenditures, poor tax collection, a bloated civil service, and reduced foreign aid in 1999 contributed to the fiscal deficit, estimated at 11% of GDP. The government sought to cover this deficit through monetary expansion, which led to a dramatic increase in inflation and exchange rate depreciation. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewed commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The new government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. the exchange rate has responded by stabilizing. The Dutch Government has restarted the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.801 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.937 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 25.92% hydro: 74.08% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,178.50 (December 2000), 987.50 (December 1999), 401.00 (December 1998), 401.00 (December 1997), 401.26 (December 1996) note: beginning in July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate was unified and became market determined; 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; the government currently allows trading within a band of SRG 500 around the official rate

Exports [time series]

$443 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 23%, Norway 19%, Netherlands 11%, France, Japan, UK (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1.48 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services: 65% (1998 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-1% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$525 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

US 35%, Netherlands 15%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, Japan, UK, Brazil (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6.5% (1994 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

78% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

100,000

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

20% (1997)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Georgia

Climate [time series]

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline [time series]

386 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, most of which lives along the coast

Irrigated land [time series]

600 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 96% other: 4% (1993 est.) note: there are 94,927 hectares of arable land, 7,195 hectares of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore

Terrain [time series]

mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

Paramaribo

Constitution [time series]

ratified 30 September 1987

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); 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 Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority vote in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the calling of elections a year early election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president; percent of legislative vote - 72.5; National Assembly elected the president - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[597] 420800

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

constitutional democracy

Independence [time series]

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of Justice (justices are nominated for life)

Legal system [time series]

based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NF 33, MC 10, DNP 2000 3, DA '91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1 note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the calling of elections a year early

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a coalition of the Alternative Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP, formed in January 1991) [S. RAMKHELAWAN]; Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP 2000 (coalition of two parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the 21st Century) [Jules WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA [Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC (a coalition of three parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National Unity and Solidarity, and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA]; Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul SOMOHARDJO]; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU [Ir Iwan KROLIS]; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname National Party or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor Party or SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) [Ronald R. VENETIAAN]; The Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed Progressive Party or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF, and Suriname Progressive People's Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement [Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally brought about a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically elected government returned to power in 1991.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$8.5 million (FY97 est.)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.6% (FY97 est.)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 121,656 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 71,344 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 31.62% (male 70,314; female 66,924) 15-64 years: 62.71% (male 138,969; female 133,193) 65 years and over: 5.67% (male 11,194; female 13,404) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

20.53 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 [time series]

1.26% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

210 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

3,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

24.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

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), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.63 years male: 68.97 years female: 74.42 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese

Net migration rate [time series]

-8.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

433,998 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.6% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.47 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

Transportation

Airports [time series]

46 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 4,530 km paved: 1,178 km unpaved: 3,352 km (1996)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,432 GRT/4,525 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen

Railways [time series]

total: 166 km (single track) standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge note: Suriname railroads are not in operation (2000)

Waterways [time series]

1,200 km note: most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways