# Suriname

> country in South America

**Wikidata**: [Q730](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q730)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suriname)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suriname

## Summary

Suriname is a country with its capital in Paramaribo [1]. It has a population of 563,000 as of 2017 [2] and covers an area of 163,000 square kilometers . The country observes the time zone UTC−03:00, also designated as America/Paramaribo [3].

## Summary
Suriname is a sovereign state and country located on the continent of South America, distinct for being the only nation outside of Europe where Dutch is the sole official language. Geographically situated on the Caribbean coast, it gained independence on November 25, 1975, and operates as a republic with Paramaribo as its capital. The country covers an area of 163,270 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 563,402 (2017).

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Suriname (also known as Republiek Suriname and Ripoliku Sranan).
- **Classification**: Sovereign state; distinct territorial body; national geopolitical entity.
- **Location**: South America (Caribbean coast).
- **Independence Date**: November 25, 1975.
- **Capital**: Paramaribo.
- **Area**: 163,270 square kilometers.
- **Population**: 563,402 (2017); other data points include 618,040 (2022 estimate from population section range) and 539,276 (2013).
- **Government Type**: Republic (since 1991).
- **Head of State & Government**: Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (Start date: July 16, 2025).
- **Legislature**: National Assembly.
- **Currency**: Surinamese dollar (SRD) since January 1, 2004; replaced the Surinamese guilder.
- **Official Language**: Dutch.
- **Anthem**: "God zij met ons Suriname".
- **Motto**: "Justitia – Pietas – Fides" (Justice – Piety – Trust).
- **Demonym**: Surinamer; Surinamese.
- **Time Zone**: UTC−03:00 (America/Paramaribo).
- **Driving Side**: Left.
- **Calling Code**: +597.
- **Internet TLD**: .sr.
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: SR; Alpha-3: SUR; Numeric: 740.
- **Coordinates**: Lat: 4, Lon: -56.
- **Central Bank**: Centrale Bank van Suriname.

## FAQs

**What countries border Suriname?**
Suriname shares borders with three sovereign entities: Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and France (specifically French Guiana) to the east. It also borders the Atlantic Ocean to the north.

**What organizations is Suriname a member of?**
Suriname is a member of numerous international bodies, including the United Nations (joined Dec 4, 1975), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM, joined July 4, 1995), the Organization of American States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Inter-American Development Bank. It was a founder member of Interpol in 1949.

**What is the demographic makeup of Suriname?**
Suriname has a diverse population with a life expectancy of approximately 70 years (2022). The birth rate is 17.983 (2022) and the death rate is 8.637 (2022). The population is split nearly evenly between urban (approx. 409,804 in 2022) and rural (approx. 208,236 in 2022) areas.

**What are the economic indicators for Suriname?**
The country uses the Surinamese dollar as currency. Its nominal GDP was approximately 3.6 billion USD in 2022. The unemployment rate was 6% in 2014, and the Gini coefficient (measure of inequality) was 57.9 in 1999.

**What languages are spoken in Suriname?**
While Dutch is the official language, the population speaks a variety of languages including English ( lingua franca), Sranan Tongo, Sarnámi Hindustáni, Surinamese Javanese, and several indigenous and Maroon languages such as Arawak, Wayana, and Saramaccan.

## Why It Matters
Suriname holds a unique position geopolitically and culturally as the smallest sovereign state in South America. Its identity bridges South American geography with Caribbean culture, evidenced by its membership in CARICOM. Unlike its Spanish and Portuguese-speaking neighbors, Suriname's colonial history under the Netherlands has made Dutch its official language, creating a distinct linguistic zone in the continent. The nation's economy is heavily driven by natural resources, including bauxite, gold, and oil, making it a significant player in the regional extractive industry. Its history of Dutch colonization, independence in 1975, and subsequent political shifts, including the Surinamese Interior War (1986–1992), have shaped a complex society with a high degree of ethnic and religious diversity. Suriname's vast rainforests also make it a critical area for biodiversity in the Amazonian ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Being the only country outside of Europe with Dutch as its sole official language.
- Driving on the left side of the road, unlike most other South American nations.
- Having the Atlantic Ocean as its lowest point and Julianatop as its highest.
- Its high Gini coefficient of 57.9 (1999), indicating significant economic inequality.
- Being a founding member of Interpol (1949).
- Having a female President, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (to assume office in 2025).
- A Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.730 (2021), placing it in the high human development category.
- Its diverse cultural makeup, including the use of languages like Sranan Tongo, Caribbean Hindustani, and Javanese.

## Body

### History and Government
Suriname is a republic that gained independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. The country's political structure includes a National Assembly as its legislative body. The head of state and head of government is the President, a role to be held by Jennifer Geerlings-Simons starting July 16, 2025. The nation's history includes a significant internal conflict, the Surinamese Interior War, which took place from 1986 to 1992.

### Geography and Climate
Located in the northern part of South America, Suriname is bordered by Guyana to the west, French Guiana (an overseas region of France) to the east, and Brazil to the south. The northern border is the Atlantic Ocean, which is also the country's lowest point (0 meters elevation). Its highest point is Julianatop. The total area of the country is 163,270 square kilometers. It is located in the UTC−03:00 time zone. The country is administratively divided into ten districts: Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica, and Paramaribo.

### Demographics and Society
The population of Suriname was recorded at 563,402 in 2017, with a breakdown of 307,625 males and 310,416 females in 2022. The urban population outnumbers the rural population. The country has a diverse linguistic landscape. Dutch is the official language, but other languages such as English (lingua franca), Sranan Tongo, Sarnámi Hindustáni, Surinamese Javanese, and various indigenous languages (e.g., Arawak, Wayana, Trio) are spoken.

In terms of social metrics, life expectancy at birth was 70 years in 2022. The birth rate in 2022 was 17.983 per 1,000 population, and the death rate was 8.637 per 1,000 population. The total fertility rate was estimated at 2.36 children per woman in 2014.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Suriname's economy is classified with a nominal GDP of 3.62 billion USD (2022). The official currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), which replaced the Surinamese guilder on January 1, 2004. The central bank is the Centrale Bank van Suriname.

Infrastructure includes a unique electrical standard: mains voltage is 127 volts at 60 Hz, utilizing types C and F (Europlug) electrical plugs. The country drives on the left. Emergency numbers include 112 (general), 110 (fire), 113 (medical), and 111/115 (police). The country code is +597.

### International Relations
Suriname maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and France. It is a member of the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). It also holds membership in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

## References

1. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Suriname)
2. Gazetteer
3. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Paramaribo)
4. archINFORM
5. BnF authorities
6. OpenStreetMap
7. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/southamerica)
8. [Source](https://www.oic-oci.org/states/?lan=en)
9. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
10. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/SURINAME)
11. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
12. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/suriname)
13. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
14. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
15. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
16. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=286)
17. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
18. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/suriname)
19. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
20. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
21. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
24. FIPS 10-4
25. Virtual International Authority File
26. MusicBrainz
27. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
28. World Bank Open Data
29. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
30. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
31. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
32. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
33. The National Terminology Database for Irish
34. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
35. GeoNames
36. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
37. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
38. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
39. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
40. BabelNet
41. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
42. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
43. [AGROVOC](http://agrovoc.uniroma2.it/agrovoc/agrovoc/en/page/c_7534)
44. UMLS 2023
45. English as a Global Language, second edition
46. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
47. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
48. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
49. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
50. Mindat.org