Suriname

That its official language does not belong to the Romance language family and that it was a colony of the Netherlands are two major ways in which Suriname differs from other South American countries.

Specifically, Suriname was colonized by Dutch speakers from the European country of the Netherlands. Dutch remains the country's official language. So Suriname is a South American country. Nevertheless, it does not share the Latin American cultural heritage of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Around 80 percent of Suriname is pristine tropical rainforest, which covers the central and southern parts of the country.

In northern Suriname there are four life form types: forest, woodland, scrub, and grassy vegetation. All four occur in the three habitat types in the north: dry land, marshland [poor drainage], and swamp [very poor drainage].

Matakki [Symphonia globulifera] is widespread in the dry land forest. Mangrove [Avicennaand Rhizophora] mainly are found in swamps along the coast and lower courses of rivers. Sedges [Cyperaceae] are widespread in the extensive coastal swamps which are called grass or 'open' swamps.

Brantimakka [Machaeium lunatum] is scrub that favors brackish swamps. Brantimakka with their crisscrossing branches covered with strong prickles was described by Dr. J.C. Lindeman in his book, 'Vegetation of the Coastal Region of Surinam', as one of the most 'dreadful' plants to encounter.

With few exceptions the Attalea maripa species of palm tree is found in marshland, not in swamps.

Two types of savannahs occur in dry land and marshland. Grass or 'open' savannahs are mainly covered with sedges[Cyperaceae] and grasses.

Scrub savannahs are covered with dense scrub. Savannah mangro [Clusia nemorosa and C.fockeana] and blakkaberi [Humiriafloribunda and H. balsamifera] are widespread in the scrub savannahs.

The parakeet flower or parrot's beak [Heliconia psittacorum] is Suriname's national flower. In the Surinamese creole language Sranan Tongo the flower is called 'popokai tongo'. In Surinamese Dutch, it's called 'papegaaietong' or 'papegaybek'. In Surinamese Carib, it's called 'kulewako anuru'. In Suriname it's pollinated by hummingbirds.

For a photo of a 'popokai tongo' with an ant in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve [CSNR], please visit the link provided below.

Desiré Delano "Dési" Bouterse is Suriname's current leader since the president is considered Suriname's leader.

Specifically, Mr. Bouterse is the ninth (9th) and current president of the Republic of Suriname as the victor in elections held on July 19, 2010. His term began on August 12, 2010. He holds office for a term of five years, at the end of which he may choose to run again if he so chooses. According to Suriname's Constitution of 1987, the president operates as head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief.

The total area of Suriname is 63,251 square miles(163,821 square kilometers).

Specifically, Suriname is the smallest country in South America. It ranks 91st in size in the world. For comparison, it is slightly larger than the U.S. state of Georgia (59,425 square miles; 153,909 square kilometers).

Suriname is a country rich in resources and poor in advanced technological development for all of its people.

Specifically, Suriname has abundant natural resources, among which are the diverse ethnic backgrounds of its people. But most of the development is centered along the country's northern coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. This represents a small portion of the total land and water area and of the country's total resource potential. Areas inland tend to be isolated and accessible only by air or water.

Yes, Suriname is considered part of the Caribbean. Belize and Guyana as former British colonies and Suriname as a former Dutch colony have many cultural ties to islands [the West Indies] colonized by the British and Dutch in the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Sea washes upon Belize's coastline.

All three countries belong to the economic organization Caribbean Community [CARICOM]. CARICOM's headquarters are in Georgetown, Guyana. All three countries also belong to the Association of Caribbean States [ACS]. The ACS emphasizes the Caribbean region to promote cooperation in natural disasters, tourism, trade, and transport.

Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan was the president of Suriname in 2001.

Born on 1936 June 18, was the 6th president of Suriname from 1991 September 16 to 1996 September 15. In his re-election bid, he was defeated by Jules Wijdenbosch, but regained his position in the next election on 2000 August 12 becoming the 8th president of Suriname. Venetiaan was re-elected to a record second consecutive term in 2005 and stayed as president until 2010 August 12, when Dési Bouterse became the president.

The president is both the head of state and head of government.

Business, diplomatic and visitor on the one hand and work on the other are respective examples of Suriname's visas and special permits.

Specifically, all permits and visas must be in hand, along with valid return tickets, at the time of arrival in Suriname. Business permits must include a letter of explanation from the sponsoring company as to the reason for the visit. Diplomatic passport holders also need diplomatic visas. Additionally, employment within Suriname requires a work permit.

Yes, the descendants of Rohilla Pathans are in the South American countries of Suriname and Guyana. The ancestors of these present day residents of Suriname and Guyana were Urdu speaking Afghan Muslims. They settled in the north Indian area of Uttar Pradesh and subsequently in modern day Pakistan.

During the 19th century, the Rohilla or Afghan Muslims were involved in an uprising against British rule in India, in 1857. Many of their numbers were executed or jailed. Others were shipped with other Muslim indentured laborers to Guyana and Suriname. Ships began sailing the supply of Muslim indentured laborers from the subcontinent to northern South America in 1838. The last ships sailed in 1916.

Yes, Suriname is considered leftist in its politics.

Specifically, this assessment relates to the recent election and resulting assumption of presidential powers by Désiré Delano Bouterse (b. October 13, 1945). His Excellency is remembered for his participation in the military coup of February 25, 1980. The eight-year involvement of the military in Surinamese politics tended to be characterized as leftist. During that time period, Suriname was described as a socialist republic of South America.