CARICOM Member since July 4, 1995 Government Website
Suriname flag
Also Known As: Beating Heart of the Amazon

Suriname

Official Name: Republic of Suriname
Population 531,170 (2010)
Date of Independence November 25, 1975
Justice, Compassion, Loyalty

About Suriname

Suriname is located on the north-eastern coast of South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Guyana to the west, French Guiana to the east, and Brazil to the south. The country has a narrow coastal plain where most of the population lives, while much of the interior is covered by dense tropical rainforest and savannahs. Several major rivers flow northwards to the Atlantic Ocean.

Quasi Cabinet Portfolio Allocation

Community Development and Cultural Cooperation (including Culture, Gender, Youth and Sport), Industrial Policy

About Suriname

Key facts

Date of Membership in CARICOM: 4 Jul 1995 

Also Known as:Beating Heart of the Amazon Status of Independence:Independent 1975/11/25 

Area: 163,820 km2 (63,251 miles2) 
Capital City: Paramaribo 
Population: 517,052 (2008) 
Currency: Suriname Dollar (SRD) 
Highest National Award: Drager van het Groot Lint in de Ere Orde van de Palm

Economy

GDP Growth: 2.9% annual change (2013) 
GNI: 8.606 billion PPP dollars 
GNI PC: US$ 9,370 as of 2013

Key dates in history

1499       Country originally known by Amerindian name Surinam (after original inhabitants, the Surinas) sighted by Spanish explorer, Alonso de Ojeada
 
1651       First European settlement established by Britain 
 
1667       Acquired by The Netherlands; became known as Dutch Guiana
 
1728       First Bush Negro Community established by runaway slaves 
 
1761       Peace Treaty between The Netherlands and Bush Negroes following prolonged war 
 
1815       Complete control regained by The Netherlands following numerous exchanges among Britain, France and The Netherlands 
 
1954       Autonomy granted within the  Kingdom of The Netherlands 
 
1975       Country became an Independent Republic, name  changed to Suriname, Dr. Johan Ferrier, first President

Key Dates in History

  1. 1975

    Suriname gains Independence.

  2. 1995

    Suriname joins CARICOM.

  3. 1997

    Expands Dutch-speaking participation within CARICOM institutions.

  4. 2001

    Signs Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

  5. 2005

    Participates in CCJ arrangements.

  6. 2006

    Joins launch of the CSME.

  7. 2010

    Strengthens South America–CARICOM connectivity initiatives.

  8. 2015

    Marks twenty years of CARICOM membership.

  9. 2020

    Participates in coordinated regional pandemic response.

  10. 2025

    Continues role in multilingual CARICOM diplomacy.