Asunto: | NoticiasdelCeHu 1128/03 - Geography of Suriname | Fecha: | Viernes, 31 de Octubre, 2003 23:42:20 (-0300) | Autor: | Humboldt <humboldt @............ar>
|
Girasol
NCeHu 1128/03
GEOGRAPHY OF
SURINAME
Background: |
Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years
later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon
declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession
of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international
pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military
overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government
returned to power in 1991. |
Location: |
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
French Guiana and Guyana |
Geographic coordinates: |
4
00 N, 56 00 W |
Map references: |
South
America |
Area: |
total: 163,270 sq km land: 161,470 sq km
water: 1,800 sq km |
Area - comparative: |
slightly larger than Georgia |
Land boundaries: |
total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km,
French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km |
Coastline: |
386
km |
Maritime claims: |
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12
NM |
Climate: |
tropical; moderated by trade winds |
Terrain: |
mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps |
Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m |
Natural resources: |
timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small
amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore |
Land use: |
arable land: 0.37% permanent crops: 0.06%
note: there are 95,000 hectares of arable land, 7,000 hectares
of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures (1998 est.)
other: 99.57% |
Irrigated land: |
490
sq km (1998 est.) |
Natural hazards: |
NA
|
Environment - current issues: |
deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland
waterways by small-scale mining activities |
Environment - international agreements: |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
|
Geography - note: |
smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly
tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the
most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small
population, mostly along the coast |
Population: |
435,449 (July 2003 est.) |
Age structure: |
0-14 years: 30.7% (male 68,536; female 65,165) 15-64
years: 63.3% (male 141,048; female 134,699) 65 years and
over: 6% (male 11,686; female 14,315) (2003 est.) |
Median age: |
total: 25.5 years male: 25.1 years
female: 26 years (2002) |
Population growth rate: |
0.37% (2003 est.) |
Birth rate: |
19.4 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Death rate: |
6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Net migration rate: |
-8.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years
and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03
male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
Infant mortality rate: |
total: 24.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.34
deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 28.93 deaths/1,000
live births |
Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 69.23 years male: 66.79 years
female: 71.78 years (2003 est.) |
Total fertility rate: |
2.4 children born/woman (2003 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |
1.2% (2001 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: |
3,700 (2001 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - deaths: |
330 (2001 est.) |
Nationality: |
noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese |
Ethnic groups: |
Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors
emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%,
Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African
ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as
slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white
1%, other 2% |
Religions: |
Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2%
(predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5% |
Languages: |
Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese,
sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the
younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a
dialect of Hindi), Javanese |
Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995
est.) |
Country name: |
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname local short form:
Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana local
long form: Republiek Suriname |
Government type: |
constitutional democracy |
Capital: |
Paramaribo |
Administrative divisions: |
10
districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne,
Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini,
Wanica |
Independence: |
25
November 1975 (from Netherlands) |
National holiday: |
Independence Day, 25 November (1975) |
Constitution: |
ratified 30 September 1987 |
Legal system: |
based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory |
Suffrage: |
18
years of age; universal |
Executive branch: |
chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12
August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August
2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald
VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar
AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected by the National
Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a
constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by the
larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local,
and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000
(next to be held NA May 2005) election results: Runaldo Ronald
VENETIAAN elected president by the National Assembly; percent of
legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP)
19.6%; total votes cast - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes,
Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes note: widespread demonstrations
during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early
|
Legislative branch: |
unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members
are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election
results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NF 33, MC
10, DNP 2000 3, DA '91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1 note: widespread
demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a
year early elections: last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA
May 2005) |
Judicial branch: |
Court of Justice (justices are nominated for life) |
Political parties and leaders: |
Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a coalition of the Alternative
Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP, formed
in January 1991) [Winston JESSURUN]; Democratic National Platform 2000 or
DNP 2000 (coalition of two parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the
21st Century) [Jules WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic
Alternative or OPDA [Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC
(a coalition of three parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National
Unity and Solidarity, and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National
Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA];
Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National
Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul
SOMOHARDJO]; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU [Ir
Iwan KROLIS]; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname
National Party or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor
Party or SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) [Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN]; The
Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed
Progressive Party or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF,
and Suriname Progressive People's Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH] |
Political pressure groups and leaders: |
General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK];
Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement [Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica
[Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi
AFONGPONG] |
International organization participation: |
ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB,
IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC,
OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO |
Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES FAX:
[1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami
telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 chancery: Suite 460,
4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place,
Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900
FAX: [597] 420800 |
Flag description: |
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red
(quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large,
yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band
|
Economy - overview: |
The
economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than
15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname's economic prospects for
the medium term will depend on renewed commitment to responsible monetary
and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to
liberalize markets and promote competition. The government of Ronald
VENETIAAN has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to
control spending. However, in 2002, President VENETIAAN agreed to a large
pay raise for civil servants, which threatens his earlier gains in
stabilizing the economy. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the
aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development
financing. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's
ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the
bauxite and gold mining sectors. |
GDP: |
purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (2002 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate: |
1.2% (2002 est.) |
GDP - per capita: |
purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2002 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services:
65% (2001) |
Population below poverty line: |
70%
(2002 est.) |
Household income or consumption by percentage
share: |
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
17% (2002) |
Labor force: |
100,000 |
Labor force - by occupation: |
agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% |
Unemployment rate: |
17% (2000) |
Budget: |
revenues: $393 million expenditures: $403 million,
including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.) |
Industries: |
bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food
processing, fishing |
Industrial production growth rate: |
6.5% (1994 est.) |
Electricity - production: |
1.959 billion kWh (2001) |
Electricity - production by source: |
fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% other: 0%
(2001) nuclear: 0% |
Electricity - consumption: |
1.822 billion kWh (2001) |
Electricity - exports: |
0
kWh (2001) |
Electricity - imports: |
0
kWh (2001) |
Oil - production: |
10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
Oil - consumption: |
10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
Oil - exports: |
NA (2001) |
Oil - imports: |
NA (2001) |
Oil - proved reserves: |
37 million bbl (January 2002 est.) |
Agriculture - products: |
paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef,
chickens; forest products; shrimp |
Exports: |
$445 million f.o.b. (2002) |
Exports - commodities: |
alumina,
crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas |
Exports - partners: |
US
30.9%, Norway 18.8%, Netherlands 9.2%, France, Japan, UK (2001) |
Imports: |
$300 million f.o.b. (2002) |
Imports - commodities: |
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
|
Imports - partners: |
US
58.5%, Netherlands 27.6%, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, UK, Brazil (2001)
|
Debt - external: |
$321 million (2002 est.) |
Economic aid - recipient: |
Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance,
European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998) |
Currency: |
Surinamese guilder (SRG) |
Currency code: |
SRG
|
Exchange rates: |
Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,346.75 (2002), 2,178.5 (2001),
1,322.47 (2000), 859.437 (1999), 401 (1998) note: during 1998,
the exchange rate splintered into four distinct rates; in January 1999 the
government floated the guilder, but subsequently fixed it when the
black-market rate plunged; the government currently allows trading within
a band of SRG 500 around the official rate |
Fiscal year: |
calendar
year |
Telephones - main lines in use: |
64,000 (1997) |
Telephones - mobile cellular: |
4,090 (1997) |
Telephone system: |
general assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean) |
Radio broadcast stations: |
AM
4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) |
Television broadcast stations: |
3
(plus seven repeaters) (2000) |
Internet country code: |
.sr
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): |
2
(2000) |
Internet users: |
14,500 (2002) |
Disputes - international: |
area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere
Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between
New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all
headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Guyana is in
dispute |
Illicit drugs: |
growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for
Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
|
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