Suriname

The Guiana Shield is the name for the highlands that separate French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela from Brazil.

Specifically, the term refers to an ancient geological formation that is found on the northeastern portion of the South American continent. It forms all of the northern coastline running from French Guiana, through Suriname and into Guyana and part of the coast upon which Venezuela fronts. The highest portions of the Shield are called the Guiana Highlands.

Western style clothes are popular in Suriname. But traditional styles also are seen inside and outside the home. Hindu men wear dhoti kurta [long loincloth with long shirt]. Hindu women wear saris with cholis [short top]. Women of Javanese descent may be seen in traditional kain kebaya [sarong with blouse]. It also is common to see Surinamese creole women in their koto [loose long dress] with angisa [headpiece].

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Much of Suriname is either uninhabited or sparsely populated. So the important cities tend to be those that are administrative, business, cultural and governmental centers in the country. Specifically, Suriname is divided into ten administrative centers. Eight particularly are active in the running of the Surinamese economy and polity.

Most important of all the districts is the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo is Suriname's capital and largest city. Its population is over 240,000. Its inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Other important districts are Brokopondo, Commewijne, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Saramacca, and Wanica. In half of the districts, only the district capital city is an important center. In the other half, there's another important center in addition to the district capital.

Those districts with one important city each are found in the north of the country. Para's important center is its district capital city at Onverwacht. Saramacca's important center is its district capital city at Groningen. Wanica's important center is its district capital city at Lelydorp. Lelydorp may be considered the second most important city nationally, after Paramaribo. It's population of around 19,580 is second to the national capital.

Two of the districts with more than one important center are found in the north. One is Brokopondo District. Its important centers include Brownsweg, and the district capital city at Brokopondo. Commewijne's important centers include Nieuw Amsterdam and the district capital city at Marienburg.

Another district with two important centers is Marowijne in the northeast. Its important centers include Moengo and the district capital city at Albina.

Still another is Nickerie in the northwest. Its important centers include Wageningen and the district capital city at Nieuw Nickerie.

1-5 landmarks

A number of Suriname's landmarks are in Paramaribo, Suriname's capital.

One, The historic inner city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002. The original, characteristic Dutch colonial street plans are well preserved, along with its distinctive blend of Dutch architecture with traditional local techniques and materials.

Two, the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Mosque was completed in 1932. The current mosque was completed in 1984. The mosque is next to the Neveh Shalom Synagogue.

Three, Fort Zeelandia was built and reinforced by the English under the name of Fort Willoughby in 1651. The French had built a fort around a Dutch trading post in that location in 1640. The name was changed to Fort Zeelandia in 1667 when the Dutch gained control of the area.

Fort Zeelandia is a pentagon with a bastion at each of its five corners. The fort later was turned into a barracks and then a prison. In 1967 it was turned into the Suriname Museum. By 1982 it had reverted to being a prison. On December 18, 1982 its courtyard was the scene of the 'December murders', with the executions of 15 military opponents of the military regime of Desiré Delano Bouterse [b. October 13, 1945].

In 1995 the fort became the home of the Stichting Surinaams Museum.

Four, Neveh Shalom Synagogue originally was completed in 1723. The current building was completed 1842-1843.

Five, St. Peter and Paul Cathedral [Sint Petrus en Paulus Kathedraal] was built from 1883 to 1885. There are 18 confession rooms. The cathedral can accommodate up to 340 people. It claims to be the largest wooden building in the Western Hemisphere. Its dimensions are 161 feet [51 meters] long, 48 feet [17 meters] high in the main hall, and 54 feet [18 meters] wide. Its height measures 162 feet [53 meters] to the top of the church spires. That figure doesn't include the brass crosses atop the spires.

Suriname is located in northern South America in the northern and western hemispheres.

Specifically, Suriname is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean. French Guiana is on its east border. Brazil is on its southern border. Guyana is to the west. The geographic coordinates of Suriname are 4 degrees North latitude 56 degrees West longitude.

Nanni Meer [Nanni Lake] and Brokopondomeer[Brokopondo Reservoir] are really the only two lakes in Suriname. Suriname is more a country of creeks and rivers than of lakes.

Nanni Meer is located in Nickerie District. That's the western coastal district that borders Guyana. It's south of Nieuw Nickerie, the district's capital. Its geographic coordinates are 5 degrees 24 minutes North latitude and 57 degrees 1 minute West longitude. Nanni Meer is in a swampy area that was proposed for protective status, along with the nearby Kaburi Kreek ecosystem, in 1978.

Brokopondo Reservoir [Brokopondomeer] is in Brokopondo District in east central Suriname. Its geographic coordinates are 4 degrees 48 minutes North latitude and 55 degrees 4 minutes West longitude. It's one of the largest reservoir lakes in the world.

The Reservoir was created by constructing a 177 foot [54 meter] tall dam across the Suriname River. Because of the great area of the reservoir, villages had to be abandoned. Around 5,000 people were displaced. The government set up Operation Gwamba to save animals from the soon to be lake bed.

The Corantijn, Marowijne and Suriname are beloved rivers of beauty and transportation in Suriname.

Suriname in fact is a country of rivers. It has seven river drainage basins with 13 tributaries. The major river drainage basins are the Coeroeni, Coppename, Corantijn, Marowijne [Maroni], Nickerie, Saramacca, and Suriname.

From its source in the Acarai Mountains in southern Guyana, the Corantijn River flows north over 450 miles [700 kilometers] as a border between Guyana and Suriname before emptying into the Atlantic at Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname.

From its source in the Tumuk Humak Mountains [Toemoek Hoemak Gebergte] in the border area shared by Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname, the Marowijne River flows over 450 miles [725 kilometers] north as a disputed border between French Guiana and Suriname to empty into the Atlantic at Point Galibi, Suriname.

From its source in the border between the Wilhelmina Mountains [Wilhelmina Gebergte] and the Eilerts de Haan Mountains in south central Suriname, the Suriname River flows northeast over 300 miles [480 kilometers] to empty north of the capital city of Paramaribo. The Suriname River is the most important river for imports and exports.

No, Jamaicans do not need visas in order to go to Suriname, but yes, they do for Bermuda.

Specifically, no visa is required of Jamaicans for entry into Suriname. But Jamaicans may expect to stay only a maximum of 120 days at a time. In contrast, Jamaicans cannot enter Bermuda without visas.

No, Suriname is not a possession.

Specifically, Suriname is an independent country. Previously, it was one of the Netherlands' overseas colonies. Dutch Guiana received a limited amount of autonomy in 1954. Actual independence dates from November 25, 1975.