Suriname Information

Information

•  Full name: Republic of Suriname.

•  Capital City: Paramaribo.

•  Language: Dutch, English, Sranang Tongo and others.

•  Currency: Suriname Dollar.

•  Religion: Hindu, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Muslim.

•  National Anthem: “God Zij Met Ons Suriname”.

•  Newspaper: Zaman, Yerel Haber Gazetesi, Özgür Kocaeli, Aksam Gazetesi, Alanya Bote and Ay Gazete.

•  Places to Visit: Albina, Paramaribo, Brownsberg Nature Reserve, Central Suriname Nature Reserve and Onafhankelijkheidsplein.

•  Transport: Airways : Air France services can be availed from Paris to Cayenne. Twice a week flights between Amsterdam and Paramaribo; Waterways : passenger ferries are available between Nieuw Nickerie and Springlands in Guyana; and also between Albina and St Laurent de Maroni in French Guiana.

•  Shopping: Maroon tribal woodcarvings, cotton hammocks, hand-carved/painted gourds, Amerindian bows and arrows, wicker works, ceramics, gold and silver jewelry, Javanese bamboo crafts, batik, imported Chinese jade, Chinese silks, glass wares, hand made dolls, embroidery and wall hangings.

Introduction

once a Dutch colony, Suriname is the smallest independent South American nation. The country is often commonly referred as “Surinam” and “Sarnang” was once called “Netherlands Guiana” or “Dutch Guiana”. The country of Suriname is an ethnic medley that is steeped in history. It also reflects its colonial past as most of the citizens of the country are imports from Africa, India and Indonesia, who were brought in as slaves and bonded laborers. However, the original people of the country were the Arawaks and the Caribs.

Location of Suriname

located north of the Equator in the continent of South America, the country of Suriname is located in the north of the continent. Suriname also lies in the western hemisphere. This tiny country is encased by one water body and three political land masses: the Atlantic Ocean in the north, French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south and Guyana to the west.

Physical Map of Suriname

the country of Suriname is divided into 10 districts. The country has two different type of landscape: highlands in the form of hills and mountains, and plains and swamps in the coasts. The north of Suriname houses the lowlands, swamps and the coastal plains, while the southern and western regions of the country are covered with savannah plains and rainforests. The mountains and hills are located in the middle of the country dividing the terrain into two. Of the mountains, the De Hann and Van Asch Van Wijck are the most important. Suriname also houses one of the world's largest reservoir lakes – the WJ van Bloomenstein Lake. The other water bodies of significance in the country are Gran River, Coppename River, Marowijne River, Lucie River, Corantyne River and Saramacca River.

Climate of Suriname

the country of Suriname boasts of a tropical climate. However, regular sweep of the trade winds temper the heat and humidity. The country has two rainy spells in the year; one between December and January and the other between April and July. While September is the warmest month, January remains the coolest.

Flora and Fauna of Suriname

the tiny country of Suriname plays host to a varied flora and fauna life. Blanketed by rainforests, some of the plants to be found in the country are of medicinal importance. Apart from the broad-leaved rainforest variety, there are also several types of lichens, weeds and mosses to be found. Flowers too grow in plenty in Suriname. Some of the most abundant varieties are water lilies, hibiscus, orchids, bougainvillea and oleanders. The general animal fauna of the country comprises of monkeys, tapir, jaguars, wild pig, manatees, deer, ocelots and sloth. In the reptile category, there is the caiman and the boa constrictor and other snakes. Apart from these, iguanas and turtles also form an integral part of the list as they are endangered species. The avian fauna in Suriname has some 650 and more species of birds calling the land their home. Some of them are scarlet ibis, harpy eagle, egret, Amazon parrot, toucan, seedfinch, cock of the rock, macaw, swallow-tailed kite, ruddy ground-dove, spotted sandpiper, cattle egret, pied water tyrant, white-tailed trogon and greater yellow-headed vulture. In the aquatic category too there are plenty of species both in the rivers in the country as well as in the Atlantic Ocean that borders it. There are also several rare and endangered species of animals and reptiles in Suriname. These mammals and reptiles are the fin whale, giant armadillo, giant otter, Sei whale, bush dog, American manatee, Carriker's round-eared bat, giant anteater, Guianan bonneted bat, Schultz's round-eared bat and sperm whale.

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