Suriname

No, Suriname is not ruled by military forces.

Specifically, military involvement in politics took place during an eight-year period in the 1980s. It began with the coup of February 25, 1980. About half a year later, the first president stepped down. There was a two-day lag before Suriname's second president assumed office. Other than the above-mentioned change in presidents before the end of the presidential term and the two days during which Suriname was president-less, Suriname always has maintained its post-independence political tradition of presidential rule.

The Maroons are Suriname's bush negroes.

Specifically, the term "bush negroes" refers to escaped African slaves in South America. Another common, synonymous term is "refugee blacks." Whatever the term, the slaves found freedom by escaping from coastal plantations into Suriname's vast interior rain forest. In the interior, the slaves grouped into two main tribes, the eastern and the central, whose membership was defined by cultural heritage and geographic preferences.

White Rabbits is a popular candy in Suriname.

Specifically, the candy is made with milk. It originally comes from mainland China. But it can be found throughout Suriname, where Surinamese of Chinese ancestry make up about 8 percent of the total population.

Beef and dairy cattle, chickens, hens, and pigs make up Suriname's livestock.

In 2003 Suriname produced 1,598 tons (1,450 tonnes) of pig meat, 2,205 tons (2,000 tonnes) of beef and veal, and 6,173 tons (5,600 tonnes) of chicken. Dairy products included 9,370 tons (8,500 tonnes) of cow milk and 2,756 tons (2,500 tons) of hen eggs. Additionally, the Surinamese are expanding their livestock production to include goats and sheep.

The Surinamese depend upon the ecological and economic diversity of their country. The many rivers and the Atlantic coast provide Suriname with an abundant supply of food and economic products.

Around 80 percent of Suriname is pristine rainforest, where only 5 percent of the population live. But many Surinamese live in the built instead of the natural environment. Specifically, around half of the population live in Paramaribo, the capital city. The rest of the population mainly live along the coast.

Suriname is one of the top 10 producers of bauxite in the world. The Republic also has significant gold deposits. The Aluminum Company of America subsidiary, SURALCO, has been mining bauxite in Suriname since 1916.

Mining and logging have the potential for significant deforestation, which affects all aspects of Surinamese life.

Gilmore Hoefdraad (b. 1962) is the president of the Central Bank of Suriname.

Specifically, the title is Governor of the Central Bank of Suriname. The current Governor holds the position since his appointment by Désiré Delano Bouterse (b. October 13, 1945), current president of Suriname. He succeeds André Eugene Telting (b. October 25, 1935), who died unexpectedly on August 6, 2010 and who served as Central Bank Governor from 1993 until 1996 and from 2000 until 2010.

Suriname, the smallest sovereign country in South America, is ranked by the World Bank as one of the 17 potentially richest countries in the world. Suriname has important natural resources, including aluminum oxide [alumina], bauxite, diamonds, gold, and oil. Suriname is one of the top 10 producers of bauxite in the world. The Aluminum Company of America subsidiary, SURALCO, in fact has been engaging in profitable bauxite mining in Suriname since 1916.

Around 80 percent of Suriname is pristine rainforest. Commercially, that means a possible wide range of products from wood to natural medicines to dyes and cosmetics. It also means a possible wide range of activities for the mushrooming ecotourism industry.

THE ULTIMATE ANSWER IS
Suriname Flag and Fast Facts Population
447,000 Capital
Paramaribo; 253,000

Area
163,265 square kilometers
(63,037 square miles)

Language
Dutch, English, Sranang Tongo (Taki-Taki), Hindustani, Javanese

Religion
Hindu, Protestant (Moravian), Roman Catholic, Muslim

Currency
Surinamese guilder

Life Expectancy
70

GDP per Capita
U.S. $3,400

Literacy Percent
93

The absolute location of Suriname is 4 degrees North latitude 56 degrees West longitude.

Specifically, Suriname is located 4 degrees North of the Equator. So it is a country on the South American continent that is in the northern hemisphere. It is 56 degrees West of the Prime (Greenwich) Meridian in England. So it is in the western hemisphere. Absolute location uses a coordinate system (usually latitude and longitude) to pinpoint a location on the earth's surface.

Yes. The American Chamber of Commerce of Suriname was established in September 2002 to promote commerce beween the United States of America and Suriname. As of June 2009 the Chamber had 46 members.

The contact information is as follows:

Mrs. Judith Iochem, Executive Director

The American Chamber of Commerce of Suriname

59 David Simonsstraat

Paramaribo, Suriname

Telephone: (597) 452-132

E-mail: amchamsuriname@sr.net

Because its independence is so recent, Suriname is considered a developing country.

Specifically, a developing country is perceived as lacking in economic, political or social stability. Suriname may be considered to be economically stable because of its export earnings, politically because of its commitment to free elections and socially because of the unity of its culturally and linguistically diverse peoples. But at the same time, the country's transportation network must be extended into the interior. Additionally, the country needs to expand its economic base away from its historic dependency on mineral resources.

Suriname (Dutch Guyana) is country code +597.

Guyana is country code +592.

French Guiana is country code +594.

(The plus sign means "insert your international access prefix here." From a GSM mobile phone, you can enter the number in full international format, starting with the plus sign. The most common prefix is 00, but North America (USA, Canada, etc.) uses 011, Japan uses 010, Australia uses 0011, and many other countries use different prefixes.)

On December 10, 1948 the Netherlands, which included its plantation colony of Suriname, joined 47 other countries in ratifying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The International Bill of Human Rights consists of [1] the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; [2] the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and [3] the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols.

Suriname became independent from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. As an independent country, Suriname ratified both of the International Covenants in 1976.

Zedek v' Shalom [Justice and Peace] Synagogue is operating as a computer service shop and an Internet cafe. The proprietor, Jimmy Rosheuvel, is a member of the Surinamese Jewish community.

Zedek v' Shalom was built by the Sephardic Jewish population of Paramaribo in 1735-1736. Due to dwindling membership, the synagogue merged in 1999 with Neve Shalom Synagogue, which was built by the city's Ashkenazi Jewish population in 1719. All the interior contents were leased to the Israel Museum for 10 years. That lease was just renewed for 10 more years in December 2009.

To view the exterior of Zedek v' Shalom Synagogue, please visit the website of the Suriname Jewish community.

Georgia is just slightly smaller than Suriname.

Specifically, Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America. Its total area is 63,251 square miles (163,821 square kilometers). In contrast, Georgia's total area is 59,425 square miles (153,909 square kilometers).

Inappropriate dress, interrupting a person in mid-sentence and talking while the mouth is full of food or drink are considered bad manners in Suriname.

Specifically, the Surinamese tend to dress coolly but elegantly in the capital and larger cities. It is considered bad manners to wear beach attire on the street and in public buildings. Additionally, it is considered bad manners to behave as one may when so attired: interrupting other people's conversations and talking while not finished chewing or swallowing.