I've Never Been There
A weekly look at countries they didn't bother teaching you about in school.
5. Surinam
Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally brought about a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically elected government returned to power in 1991.
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Population: 433,998
Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%
Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is second language to others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Capital: Paramaribo
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 13
Television broadcast stations: 3
Internet Country Code: .SR
Railways: 166km
Highways: 4,530km
International Disputes - Area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
1667: Dutch colony (Dutch Guiana)
1804 - 1816: British rule
1828 - 1848: united with Netherlands Antilles as Dutch West Indies
25 Nov 1975: independence (Republic of Suriname)
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