Simple directory > Regional > Suriname

Country : Suriname Official name: Republiek Suriname (Republic of Suriname) Head of State: President Ronald Venetiaan (NPS) Head of government: President Ronald Venetiaan (re-elected by parliamentary vote Aug 2005) Ruling party: Nieuwe Front voor Democratie (NF) (New Front for Democracy) coalition led by Nationale Partij Suriname (NPS) (National Party of Suriname) (elected May 2000; re-elected 25 May 2005) Area: 163,265 square km Population: 460,300 (2004) Capital: Paramaribo (Parbo) Official language: Dutch Currency: Suriname dollar (Su$) = 100 cents Exchange rate: Su$2.74 per US$ (Nov 2004) (on 1 Jan 2004, guilders were converted to Suriname dollars at Su$1.00 per 1,000 guilders) GDP per capita: US$3,500 (2003) GDP real growth: 3.80% (2003) Labour force: 100,000 (2003) Unemployment: 17.00% (2003) Inflation: 20.00% (2003) Oil production: 10,000 bpd (2003) Balance of trade: US$145.00 million (2003) Foreign debt: US$321.00 million (2003)

Historical profile

1652 The British founded the first settlement but gave it to the Netherlands in a swap for New Amsterdam, the settlement at the mouth of the Hudson river that later became New York. The territory became known as Dutch Guiana.

1973 Henck Arron became prime minister, leading negotations for independence from the Netherlands, the colonial power.

1975 Dutch Guiana gained independence and was re-named Suriname.

1980 A successful military coup was led by Desi Bouterse.

1980–87 Bouterse ruled with a military government.

1987–88 Parliamentary democracy was returned with the November 1987 general election and the election by the 51-seat National Assembly of the president in January 1988. The National State Council, which has an ill-defined `advisory' role, included members of the military. Henck Arron became prime minister again, and also vice president.

1990 The military resumed power under Bouterse in December.

1991 A civilian government was elected in May.

1999 The cabinet resigned after there were protests over Suriname's economic problems.

2000 President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch lost the elections, but was to remain in office until the Nieuwe Front voor Democratie (NF) (New Front for Democracy) coalition agreed a candidate in August. Ronald Venetiaan was chosen by the National Assembly as president.

2002 Hundreds of workers protested after the government decided to close the state-owned banana company, Surland.

2004 On 1 January, Suriname converted its currency – guilders – to Suriname dollars (Su$) at a rate of Su$1.00 per l,000 guilders.

2005 The ruling NF coalition won the 25 May parliamentary elections.

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