Islamic countries

Islamic countries

REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
REPUBLIEK SURINAME

General Information

Total Land Area:	156,000 km²
Land boundaries:	1,707 km
Coastline:	386 km
Capital:	Paramaribo
Other Large Cities:	Nieuw-Nickerie, Meerzorg, Marienburg
Official Language:	Dutch
National Currency Unit:	Suriname Guilder (SRG)
National Day:	November 25

Location and Geography

Suriname, formerly known as Dutch Guiana, is one of the smallest countries in South America and the only Latin American country whose official language is Dutch. Suriname lies on South America’s North-east coast and is bordered by Brazil in the South, French Guiana in the East and Guyana in the West. Suriname’s coastal area is flat. The major rivers flow to the North towards the Atlantic. Large rivers and streams bisect the country from the South to the North and provide major transportation routes between the coast and the inland. Suriname lies outside the hurricane and earthquake area. Forests and woodlands take up a large portion of the country which has a tropical rainforest climate, hot and humid throughout the year. Temperatures inland are not moderated by coastal breezes and are slightly higher. Seasons are distinguished only by more or less rain.

Demography

Population:	0.42 million (2001)
Crude Birth Rate:	25 per thousand people (1998)
Crude Death Rate:	7 per thousand people (1998)
Infant Mortality Rate:	26 per thousand (2001)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 68 years, Female: 73 years (1999)
Urban Population:	50.0 percent (1998)
Adult Literacy:	94.00 percent (2001)

Economy

Economic activity is relatively diversified, but the dominant sector is the bauxite industry. Suriname is one of the largest producers of bauxite in the world, all of which is processed locally into alumina and aluminium. The other main natural resources of the country are oil, iron ore, hydropower potential, timber, fish and shrimp. Although less than one percent of Suriname’s land is arable, agriculture is a major source of employment. Rice, palm oil, bananas, timber, citrus, tropical fruits, vegetables and seafood are the main products. Suriname has great timber resources which are yet to be fully exploited. Commercial fishing and sugar production are also significant.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	818 million US$ (1998)
Per Capita GDP:	1995 US$ (1998)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	11.0% Agriculture, 21.0% Industry, 68.0% Services, (2001)
Total Exports:	491 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	604 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Alumina, aluminum, crude oil, lumber, shrimp, fish and bananas
Major Imports Items:	Capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs and cotton
Major Trading Partners:	US, Norway, Netherlands, China and France