Surinam

Surinam, with its capital Paramaribo, is located in northern South America bordering the north Atlantic Ocean between French Guiana and Guyana. Its total area in size is 163,270 sq. km. and is slightly larger than Georgia. The countries climate is tropical and is moderated by trade winds. The terrain is mostly rolling hills; with narrow coastal plain with swamps. Some of their natural resources include: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, and iron ore. The countries current environmental issues are: deforestation (as timber is cut for export), and pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities.

In July 2001, the population was estimated at 433,998. The official language is Dutch. However, English is widely spoken. Other languages spoken include: Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, its native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani, (a dialect of Hindi), and Javanese. Their agriculture products include: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts, beef, chickens, forest products, and shrimp. Some of their industries include: bauxite and gold mining, lumbering, food processing, and fishing.

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