An Introduction to Suriname
Disputed by the Dutch and the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname was given to the former in the 1667 Treaty of Breda while the latter took New Amsterdam, a small trading post in North America, now better known as New York City. The country became independent in November 1975. See full country profile.Latest Research News from Latin America
GOVERNMENT: constitutional democracy
AREA: 163,821 sq km
POPULATION: 491,989 (2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Official Language: Dutch
Some business and general info
The Market Research Industry
Trade and Industry in Suriname
Bouterse, who won the presidency with the help of two smaller parties after weeks of strenuous efforts by the opposition to stop him, has denied all charges and as head of state is immune from prosecution abroad, at least until the next election - scheduled for 2015.
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Disputed by the Dutch and the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname was given to the former in the 1667 Treaty of Breda while the latter took New Amsterdam, a small trading post in North America, now better known as New York City. The country became independent in November 1975.
Suriname's half million or so inhabitants live mostly in a low-lying coastal strip. The remaining 80% of the country consists of lush tropical rainforest and savannah.
GDP: $5.07bn (PPP - 2011 est.) - $8,949 per capita
Religions Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
Currency: Surinamese Dollar - $1 = 5.17 SRD
Telephone Code: + 597
The backbone of Surinam's economy, accounting for the majority of its exports, is alumina, mined from its wealth of bauxite at low cost thanks to a US$150-million dam built by the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) in the 1960s. The majority of the country's labour force works in the services sector (78% in 2004). Aid from the Netherlands continues to be an important, if diminished, factor in the economy.
Aside from alumina, Surinam's exports of $1.391 billion (quite an old figure - 2006 est.) include gold, crude oil, lumber and various foodstuffs, and one half go to Canada (35.5%) and Belgium, with a further 20 percent split between the USA and UAE. Imports of $1.297 in the same year came from partners including the US and the Netherlands (50% between them) and included cap'tal equipment, oil, foodstuffs, cotton and consumer goods.
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