THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME COUNTRY OVERVIEW Project C.U.R.E. Clinics SURINAME FACTS CAPITAL: Paramaribo CURRENCY: Surinamese Dollar PRESIDENT: Dési Bouterse OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Dutch GOVERNMENT: Constitutional Democracy POPULATION: 573,311 (2014) Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a constitutional democracy in the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south. LAND AND CLIMATE SIZE: 163,820 square kilometers, slightly larger than the state of Georgia GEOGRAPHY: Suriname is the smallest sovereign nation in South America. Located at 4°N and 56°W, it is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by French Guiana, to the south by Brazil, and the west by Guyana. The country is mostly covered by tropical rain forest and contains a great diversity of flora and fauna. The inner part of the country is mostly rolling hills, however, the terrain along the coastline is swamp-­‐like. There are many national parks and nature preserves in the country, with around 30% of the land marked for preservation and protection. CLIMATE: Suriname has a very hot and wet tropical climate, with little variation in temperature over the course of the year. The year has two wet seasons, from April to August and from November to February. Paramaribo, the country’s capital, is located on the Suriname River approximately 9 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. At 10 feet above sea level, Paramaribo experiences no dry season. Though there are noticeably rainier periods during the year, the average precipitation ranges from 3.5 inches to 11.4 Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 1
inches per month. Temperatures stay predominantly around 80°F, with lows of 70° F and highs of 99° F. Due to the country’s high humidity, actual temperatures can be distorted and the air can feel hotter than it actually is. HISTORY The history of Suriname dates from 3,000 BC when Native Americans first inhabited the area. Present-­‐day Suriname was the home to many indigenous cultures, with the larger tribes (such as the Arawak and Carib) living on the coast and smaller groups living inland in the rainforest. The first Europeans to arrive to Suriname were Dutch traders, while the first attempts to settle the area were made in the 1600s by the English. Nearly fifty plantations were established as the Willoughbyland colony by 1663, and work on the plantations was done by Native Americans and 3,000 African slaves. Many Brazilian Jews immigrated to the colony seeking the religious freedom the English granted to all settlers. In 1667, the main fort, Fort Willoughby, was captured by the Dutch and renamed Fort Zeelandia. This capture resulted in the Treaty of Breda in which the Dutch kept Suriname, and the British gained control of the Dutch colony New Amsterdam (modern-­‐day New York). Willoughbyland was renamed Suriname, and in 1683 the Society of Suriname was created to profit from the management and defense of the Dutch Republic’s colony. This Society lasted until 1795, and was maintained by the city of Amsterdam, the Van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck family, and the Dutch West India Company. Suriname’s plantations produced sugar, coffee, cocoa and cotton, which were exported for the Amsterdam market. Many Africans were imported as slaves to work on the plantations, such that by 1713 the 200 plantations were worked by 13,000 African slaves. Those who escaped into the jungle were called Maroons, and they would raid the plantations to acquire provisions. In the 18th century, the Maroons signed a peace-­‐treaty where they were recognized as free people and were provided with the lands they inhabited and the provisions they removed from the plantations. During the British occupation of Suriname from 1799 to 1816, slavery was abolished. Although the colony was returned to the Dutch in 1816, slavery was not truly abolished Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 2
until 1863. Many Chinese were imported from the Dutch East Indies (part of modern-­‐day Indonesia), and after 1873 many laborers were imported from India. In the 20th century, Suriname’s rubber, gold, and bauxite (source of aluminum) were exploited. In 1945, the first full election was held, and in 1954 Suriname gained self-­‐government, with the Netherlands retaining control of defense and foreign affairs. In 1973, the Dutch government began independence negotiations with the local Surinamese government, and independence was granted in 1975. However, roughly one third of the country’s population immigrated to the Netherlands, fearing that the new country would not survive. The Dutch also instituted an aid program to last until 1985. In 1980 the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that declared a socialist republic. In 1987, international pressure forced a democratic election, and in 1990 the military overthrew the civilian government. One year later, a democratically elected four-­‐party coalition returned to power. The coalition expanded to 8 parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when former military leader Desiré Bouterse was voted back into the Presidency. GOVERNMENT The Republic of Suriname is a constitutional, democratically representational republic based on its 1987 constitution. Suriname is divided into ten districts, however, all power rests with the central government. The President of Suriname is both head of state and head of government. Terms in office are 5 years for all elected roles. There is no constitutional provision for removal or replacement of a president. Suriname’s current president is Desiré (“Dési”) Bouterse. He is the ninth president of the country and exercises power from the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo. The president is elected by the National Assembly and heads the Executive Branch. Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 3
Legislative power rests with the 51-­‐member unicameral National Assembly. The National Assembly is simultaneously and popularly elected. Judiciary power is headed by the Court of Justice, to which members are appointed for life by the president in consultation with the National Assembly, State Advisory Council, and the National Order of Private Attorneys. ECONOMY After the 1990s, Suriname’s economy became more diversified and less dependent on Dutch financial assistance. Suriname’s economy is highly dependent on commerce, with main trading partners being the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and many Caribbean countries. The current economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold and oil accounting for nearly 85% of exports. Agriculture is also a strong component of Suriname’s economy, with rice, bananas and shrimp being the primary exports. Ecotourism is beginning to create new economic opportunities, as more than 80% of the country’s land consists of unspoiled rainforest. In 1998, Suriname established the Central Suriname Reserve to conserve the rainforest, and in 2000 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CURRENCY The Surinamese Dollar has be the currency of Suriname since 2004 when it replaced the Surinamese Guilder (currency tied to the Dutch Guilder). The old coins were declared worth their face value in new cents, negating the necessity of producing new coins. Surinamers refer to their currency as SRD to differentiate it from the U.S. dollar. Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 100, and 250 cents. Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 2 ½, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. CULTURE Although located in South America, the culture of Suriname is more similar to that of the Caribbean countries. The population, estimated at 573,311, is extremely dynamic Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 4
and diverse, with strong Asian and African influences. The multi-­‐ethnic Surinamers trace their roots to the Netherlands, India, Africa, China, Indonesia, as well as the indigenous peoples who lived in the area prior to European settlement. About 90% of the people have ancestors from other countries and regions. This blend of all regions of the world has had a profound influence on the music, cuisine, art, literature and music of Suriname. Surinamers are extremely proud of their multicultural heritage, and they embrace all groups of their country as their own. There are several distinct ethnic groups that make up the population of Suriname, reflecting the country’s extremely international history. The groups are: East Indians, Surinamese Maroons, Surinamese Creoles, Javanese, Chinese, Indigenous Americans, Europeans, Levantines and Brazilians. The vast majority of the population lives in Paramaribo or along the coast. About 2% of the population lives abroad in the Netherlands. More than half the population of Suriname lives in Paramaribo, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world. This is due to the Dutch import of people from Africa and Southeast Asia to th
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work the plantations during the 18 and 19 centuries. In importing people, settlers also imported cultures from all across the globe. This is reflected in the country’s national celebrations that celebrate the different ethnicities. Examples such as Indigenous People’s Day, Day of the Maroons, Indian Arrival Day and Chinese Arrival Day, demonstrate the celebration and integration of the various cultures that create the vibrant Surinamese culture. CUISINE: Like its population, Surinamese cuisine is extremely diverse, with culinary elements derived from a combination of many international cuisines. The fusion of all corners of the globe results in unique dishes incorporating foods from many different cultures. Basic foods include rice, tayer, cassava, roti, okra, eggplant and yardlong beans. Chicken is typically on the menu; salted meat and stockfish are also common. Roti (unleavened Indian bread) with pom, a dish combining chicken, citrus, and tayer, is traditionally served on festive occasions and is very prestigious, with each Surinamer being proud of their unique Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 5
preparation of the dish. Breakfast usually consists of rice, roti or bread. The main meal of the day is eaten at 3 pm, and after the siesta, sandwiches and leftovers are eaten. RELIGION: Due to its ethnic diversity, a wide range of beliefs and practices characterizes religion in Suriname. Christianity is the predominant religion, with 48.4% of the population identifying as Christians. However, there is great variety with various forms of Protestantism being represented, in addition to the Roman Catholic Church. Hinduism is the second largest religious group, followed by Islam. These religions were imported to the country when the Dutch brought in more laborers from India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Judaism, though not prominent in the country, has been present in Suriname since 1639. Indigenous religions are still practiced by the Amerindian and Afro-­‐descendant Maroon populations. ETIQUETTE: The country’s atmosphere is generally relaxed and hospitable. A casual conversation is initiated by a handshake. Courtesy is highly valued, and polite conversation is encouraged, with politics being a discussion subject to be avoided. Shoes are often taken off when entering someone’s home. Photography, particularly inland, may sometimes require permission. COMMON WORDS AND PHRASES The sole official language of Suriname is Dutch. Sranan Tongo, a local creole language, is widely used in the streets and is often used interchangeably with Dutch. ENGLISH PHRASE DUTCH TRANSLATION SRANAN TONGO TRANSLATION How are you? Hoe gaat het? Fa yu tang? I’m fine Ik voel me goed Ai go Thank you Dank u Danki Please Alstublieft Dankidanki, tangitangi Can you help me? Kunt u mij helpen? Do you speak English? Spreek je Engels? I don’t speak Dutch Ik spreek geen Nederlands Hello/Good bye Hallo / Vaarwel Ei / Waka bun! Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 6
PRINCIPAL CITIES PARAMARIBO Home to more than half of Suriname’s population, Paramaribo began as a Dutch trading post and changed hands between the Dutch and the English from 1630 to 1667. The city has a historic Jewish community, as well as one of the oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere (built in 1685). AREA: 70 sq miles WEATHER: Tropical rainforest climate, with rain during all twelve months of the year. Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the course of the year ranging from 72°F to 88°F. POINTS OF INTEREST: Suriname Mosque, National Assembly of Suriname, Neveh Shalom Synagogue, Roman Catholic St Peter and St Paul, The Arya Dewaker, Gouvernementsgebouw HEATH STATISTICS There are four hospitals in Paramaribo, and a few districts have their own hospitals. Due to the presence of many foreign specialists, health care services in Suriname are at a relatively high level, with at least 90% of the population living within 3 miles of health services. Chronic non-­‐communicable diseases are highly prevalent in the Caribbean region, with heart disease as the leading cause of death in Suriname. While the majority of Suriname’s health structure relies on donor resources, the high mortality and low birth rates suggest that not enough resources are mobilized for sufficient health care. Healthcare outside of Paramaribo and the coast is very scarce due to the remoteness of many of the communities. Hypertension and emergency care are the major problems faced by the healthcare system. There is no universal healthcare service and treatments are privately funded. Surinamers that are French citizens travel to neighboring French Guiana to receive treatments and all other health related services that are financially covered by the country of France. Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 7