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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.sr

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

18 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

20,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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

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

79,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

168,100 (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $400 million expenditures: $440 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (2003)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Surinam dollar (SRD)

Debt - external [time series]

$321 million (2002 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 alumina industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. 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 has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. While - in 2002 - President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise for civil servants, threatening his earlier gains in stabilizing the economy, he has not repeated this promise in the run-up to the May 2005 elections. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing, but plans to phase out funds over the next five years. 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. 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 and Mearsk.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.845 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.984 billion kWh (2002)

Exchange rates [time series]

Surinamese dollars per US dollar - 2.7336 (2004), Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2.6013 (2003), 2.3468 (2002), 2.1785 (2001), 1.3225 (2000) 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 introduced the Surinamese dollar as replacement for the guilder, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket

Exports [time series]

$495 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Norway 29.3%, US 15.1%, Canada 12.5%, Belgium 10.2%, France 8.4%, UAE 6.1%, Iceland 4.3% (2004)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

$1.885 billion (2004 est.)

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

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

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

purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2004 est.)

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

4.2% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$604 million f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

US 26.2%, Netherlands 19.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.5%, Japan 6.6%, China 4.6%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6.5% (1994 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

23% (2003 est.)

Labor force [time series]

104,000 (2003)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (2004)

Oil - consumption [time series]

14,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

1,370 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports [time series]

1,644 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - production [time series]

12,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

99 million bbl (2004)

Population below poverty line [time series]

70% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

17% (2000)

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, 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]

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 [time series]

490 sq km (1998 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: 0.37% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.57% (2001)

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]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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 Marsha E. BARNES embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900 FAX: [597] 420800

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES 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 [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 a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger People's United Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 25 May 2005 (next to be held 25 May 2010)

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (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 25 May 2005 (next to be held May 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NF 41.2%, NDP 23.1%, VVV 14.5%, A-Com 7.3%, A1 6.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A1 3

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

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

A-Combinatie (coalition of Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP [Caprino ALENDY], General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK], Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU [Jim HOK], Seeka [Paul ABENA]); Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91 [Winston JESSURUN], 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]); National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition includes National Party Suriname or NPS (Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ram 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 Perserverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY]

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

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 [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 forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

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

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

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

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

National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$7.5 million (2003)

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

0.7% (2003)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.); no conscription

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 66,537/female 63,182) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 144,285/female 136,942) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 12,092/female 15,106) (2005 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

18.39 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 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]

1.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 500 (2003 est.)

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

5,200 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 23.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 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: 68.96 years male: 66.75 years female: 71.27 years (2005 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88% male: 92.3% female: 84.1% (2000 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 26.13 years male: 25.72 years female: 26.58 years (2005 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese

Net migration rate [time series]

-8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population [time series]

438,144 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.25% (2005 est.)

Religions [time series]

Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.34 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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 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 [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

46 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2004 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 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 4,492 km paved: 1,168 km unpaved: 3,324 km (2002)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Pipelines [time series]

oil 51 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Paramaribo

Waterways [time series]

1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2003)