Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. 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 exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party coalition - returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 00 N, 56 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South America
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 163,820 sq km
country comparison to the world: 92
land: 156,000 sq km
water: 7,820 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,703 km
border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
386 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.36%
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 99.6% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
511.8 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
122 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.67 cu km/yr (6%/4%/90%)
per capita: 1,396 cu m/yr (2006)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%
Demographic profile:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Suriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
566,846 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 77,404/female 74,477)
15-24 years: 17.5% (male 50,745/female 48,718)
25-54 years: 43.8% (male 126,399/female 121,930)
55-64 years: 6.2% (male 17,123/female 18,246)
65 years and over: 5.6% (male 13,770/female 18,034) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 51.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 41.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.1 %
potential support ratio: 9.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 28.2 years
male: 27.8 years
female: 28.5 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.15% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.1 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.15 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 69% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PARAMARIBO (capital) 259,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
130 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 64
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 27.99 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 69
male: 32.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 71.41 years
country comparison to the world: 145
male: 69.05 years
female: 73.88 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.04 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45.6% (2006)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 134
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.91 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.5% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 74
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.7%
male: 95.4%
female: 94% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years (2002)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 6,094
percentage: 6 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21.5% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 54
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname
local long form: Republiek Suriname
local short form: Suriname
former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Paramaribo
geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1975; latest ratified 30 September 1987, effective 30 October 1987; amended 1992; note - in 2012, the president appointed a commission to revise the constitution (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law; note - the Commissie Nieuw Surinaamse Burgerlijk Wetboek completed drafting a new civil code in February 2009
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Robert AMEERALI (since 12 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Robert AMEERALI (since 12 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 19 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: Desire Delano BOUTERSE elected president; percent of vote - Desire Delano BOUTERSE 70.6%, Chandrikapersad SATOKHI 25.5%, other 3.9%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - Mega Combination 45.1%, New Front 27.5%, A-Com 13.7%, People's Alliance 11.8%, DOE 1.9%; seats by party - Mega Combination 23, New Front 14, A-Com 7, People's Alliance 6, DOE 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): High Court of Justice of Suriname (consists of the court president, vice president, and 4 judges)
judge selection and term of office: court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the High Court; judges appointed for life
subordinate courts: cantonal courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
A-Combination (a coalition that includes the General Liberation and Development Party ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK], and SEEKA [Paul ABENA])
note: BVD and PVF participated in the elections as a coalition (BVD/PVF) in the most recent elections, but separated after the election
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Subhas-Chandra MUNGRA (since 28 January 2011)
chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488
FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
consulate(s) general: Miami
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Jay N. ANANIA (since 1 October 2012)
embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo
telephone: [597] 472-900
FAX: [597] 410-972
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large, yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love; green symbolizes hope and fertility; white signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden future
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname)
lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY
note: adopted 1959; the anthem, originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893, contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Economic growth, which reached about 7% in 2008, owing to sizeable foreign investment in mining and oil, slowed to 2.2% in 2009 as investment waned and the country earned less from its commodity exports when global prices for most commodities fell. Trade picked up, boosting Suriname's economic growth about 4% per year in 2010-12, but the government's budget remained strained. Inflation rose from 1.3% in 2009 to 17.7% in 2011. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. As a result of these measures, inflation receded to 6% in 2012. Suriname''s economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.709 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.691 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 84.6%
government consumption: 12.6%
investment in fixed capital: 6.3%
investment in inventories: -19.8%
exports of goods and services: 58.6%
imports of goods and services: -62.1%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 9.2%
industry: 36.4%
services: 54.4% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
165,600 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 176
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 8%
industry: 14%
services: 78% (2004)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
70% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $826.6 million
expenditures: $939.7 million (2010 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.73% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.132 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.275 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$241.4 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.564 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 25.7%, Belgium 17.4%, UAE 11.5%, Canada 10.3%, Guyana 5.8%, France 5.5%, Barbados 4.2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.761 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 26%, Netherlands 16%, China 9.9%, UAE 8.1%, Antigua and Barbuda 6.7%, Netherlands Antilles 4.9%, Japan 4.3% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.008 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$810.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.57 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.423 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
410,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15,270 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,621 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.66 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
76.8 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 76
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,462 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,015 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,454 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2011 es)
country comparison to the world: 180
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.335 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
83,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 149
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
977,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 158
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 185 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.sr
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
188 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 201
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
163,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 146
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 85
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 49
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil 50 km (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,304 km
country comparison to the world: 154
paved: 1,130 km
unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 61
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Paramaribo, Wageningen
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Suriname Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription; personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 134,218
females age 16-49: 134,439 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 109,445
females age 16-49: 112,538 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 4,119
female: 4,106 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitration to resolve the longstanding dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters
Trafficking in persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
current situation: Suriname is a source, destination, and transit country for women, men, and children who are subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; women and girls from Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic are subjected to sex trafficking in the country, sometimes around mining camps; debt bondage and sex trafficking are reported to occur within the Chinese migrant community; migrant workers in agriculture and on fishing boats and children working in informal urban sectors and gold mines are vulnerable to forced labor
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Suriname does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has prosecuted an increased number of sex trafficking cases and identified an increased number of child sex trafficking victims; accountability for trafficking offenses continues to be a problem as no offenders have been convicted and the complicity of local officials remains a concern; authorities do not have a formal system for referring victims to NGOs that provide services but reported doing so on an ad hoc basis; the government's interagency anti-trafficking working group drafted an anti-trafficking policy in 2012 (2013)