| Motto:
|
Justita,
Pietas, Fides |
|
|
|
Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Popokai Tongo, Heliconia Psittacorum)
|
Flag |
|
| 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. |
| History: |
Originally, Amerindians inhabited the country
up to the 15th century. Settlers came from England,
The Netherlands and Germany among others. African
slaves, indentured labourers from India, Indonesia
and China were brought to Suriname during the
18th century. Struggle for possession by the French,
British and Dutch ended with control by the Netherlands
in 1815. Slavery was abolished in 1863. The country
gained independence in 1975. 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. |
| Elections: |
Last elections 2000. Next elections due 2005 |
| Ruling
Party: |
New Front (multi party coalition) |
| Major
Political Parties: |
Nieuw
Front multi-party Coalition (NF) , Democratic
Party (DP), National Democratic Party (NDP), Reformed
Progressive Party (HPP), Party for Revival and
Democratisation (BVD), Democratic Alternative
- 91 (DA-91), Democratic Alternative (DA). |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
H.E.
Drs Runaldo R. Venetiaan
President
DATE
OF BIRTH: 18 June 1936
MARITAL
STATUS: Married
EDUCATION:
- 1964
: Doctoral Degree (Mathematics and Physics),
University of Leiden, Netherlands
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- 1961-64:
Research Assistant (Mathematics), University
of Leiden
- 1964-73:
Teacher (Mathematics) - University Preparatory
and Teacher Training Colleges, Suriname
- 1965-73:
Lecturer (Mathematics) and Head of Department
(Mathematics), Institute for Advanced Teacher
Training.
- 1969-73:
Principal, Algemene Middlebare School.
- 1973-80:
Minister of Education
- 1980-81:
Head, Bureau for Scientific Education and
Research
- 1980-88:
Lecturer, Mathematics, Institute for Advanced
Teacher Training
- 1981-85:
Senior Lecturer (Mathematics), Technical Faculty
of the University of Suriname
- 1985-88:
Research Advisor, General statistics Bureau
- 1987-93:
Chairman, Advisory Board, National Partij
Suriname (NPS)
- 1988-91:
Minister of Education
- 1991-96:
President, Republic of Suriname
- 1993-present:
Chairman, National Partij, Suriname (NPS)
- 2000:
President
|
| Economic
Summary: |
Agriculture
accounts for about 7% of GDP and employs about
15% of the labour force. The main crops are
rice, fruit (including bananas) and vegetables.
Rice accounts for approximately half of total
cultivated land and about 10% of total ecports.
Shrimp made up 7.6% of total exports in 1996,
and scalefish accounted for a further 0.8%.
There is a small fish-farming sector producing
fish, shrimp and crabmeat mainly for domestic
consumption.
The timber industry is a potential growth sector,
supported by the abundance of tropical forestry
resources.
As
the world's eighth larges bauxite producer,
in 1998 total world production share was estimated
at 3.2%. Alumina and aluminium are crucial to
the economy, accounting for more than two-thirds
of export earnings.
Gold
continues to be a potential growth area despite
suffering severely from weak world prices in
1998 and 1999. Production in 1998 was estimated
at 770,000 ounces.
Manufacturing
accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. Food
processing is about 60% of manufacturing activities.
This sector includes aluminium production, import-substituting
industries using local and imported inputs,
and processing of local agricultural products.
Tourism
is a prime potential growth sector. The interior
rainforest and coastal wetlands augurs well
for a vibrant eco-tourism industry.
|
| Airport: |
Johan Adolph Pengel International; Zanderij |
| Status: |
Independent Republic - 25 November 1975 |
| Capital: |
Paramaribo |
| Area: |
163,820 km2 (63,251 miles2) |
| Population: |
418,921 (mid-1997) |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$5,465
(1997) |
| Total
Exports: |
EC$1,815.9 million (1997) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$1,618.1 million (1997) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$99.2
million (1997) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$225.3 million (1997) |
| 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 |
| 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). |
| 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 |
| Highest
National Award: |
Drager van het Groot Lint in de Ere; Orde van
de Palm |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Pinda
Soup with Tom Tom; Saoto soup; Pom |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
4 July 1995 |
|