Suriname
The most colorful nation
Colorful is culture, nature, tradition and religion.
About 80% of the land surface of Suriname, the beating heart of the Amazon, is covered with tropical rainforest.
The borders of Suriname consist of borders with three countries: Guyana in the West, French Guiana in the East and Brazil in the South, and in the North with the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname is the only Dutch speaking country on the continent of South America. On November 25th in 1975, it became independent after being a colony for almost 4 centuries of the Netherlands. The current president is Chandrikapersad Santokhi (2020 – 2025)
About 80% of the land surface of Suriname, the beating heart of the Amazon, is covered with tropical rainforest.
The borders of Suriname consist of borders with three countries: Guyana in the West, French Guiana in the East and Brazil in the South, and in the North with the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname is the only Dutch speaking country on the continent of South America. On November 25th in 1975, it became independent after being a colony for almost 4 centuries of the Netherlands. The current president is Chandrikapersad Santokhi (2020 – 2025)
| Location | 4°00°N56°W |
|---|---|
| Land surface | 163,820 km2 (63,037sq miles) |
| Inhabitants | 579,633 (Juli 2015) |
| Capital | Paramaribo |
| Demographics | Hindustani, Creole, Javanese, Maroons, Indigenous, Chinese, Lebanese, European |
| Languages | Dutch, Sranang Tongo, Sarnami Hindi and Javanese. English is widely understood and spoken in hotels and stores and also the second language in the trade industry. |
| Religion | Hinduism, Islam, Roman Catholic, Reformed Congregation, Morevians, Judism and Indigenous beliefs (wintie and sjamanism). |
| Climate | Suriname has a tropical climate, which according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification can be divided into three different types. The northern half of Suriname has a tropical rainforest climate (type Af). The southern half, with the exception of the Kayser Mountains, the Wilhelmina Mountains and the Orange Mountains, has a tropical monsoon climate (type Am). The mountain areas in the south of Suriname have a tropical savanna climate (type Aw): |
| Minor rainy season – December, January | |
| Minor dry season – February, March, April | |
| Major rainy season – May till mid Augustus | |
| Major dry season – mid Augustus till November | |
| Temperature | Between 18°C and 35°C. Average temperature is 28°C (82.4° F) |
| Currency | Since January 1st, 2004 the Suriname Dollar (SRD) was introduced as official currenct. US Dollars (US$) and Euro (€) are also accepted. |
| Country code | 597 |
| Time Zone | UTC – 3 |
| National Holidays | Fixed holidays |
| 01 January (New Year’s Day) | |
| 01 May (Labor Day) | |
| 01 July (Emancipation Day) | |
| 09 Augustus (Indigenous Day) | |
| 10 October (Maroon Day) | |
| 25 November (Independence) | |
| 25 December (1st Christmas) | |
| 26 December (2nd Christmas) | |
| Variable holidays (2022) | |
| 01 February (Chinese New Year) | |
| 18 March (Phagwa/ Holi) | |
| 15 April (Good Friday) | |
| 17 April (1st Easter) | |
| 18 April (2nd Easter) | |
| 02 May (Idul Fitr) | |
| 09 July (Idul Adha) | |
| 24 October (Divali) |
