Suriname Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

North coast of South America.

Language

Dutch is the official language. Sranan Tongo, originating in Creole, is the popular language. The main languages are Hindi and Javanese. English, Chinese, French and Spanish are also spoken.

Area

163,265 sq km (63,037 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT - 3.

Electricity

127 volts AC, 60Hz. European round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use.

Population

470,784 (official estimate 2007).

Population Density

2.9 per sq km.

Capital City

Paramaribo. Population: 243,000 (estimate 2004).

Government

Republic since 1987. Gained independence from The Netherlands in 1975.

Head of State

President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan since 2000.

Religion

Approximately 48% Christian, 27% Hindu and 20% Muslim.

Recent History

President Venetiaan was re-elected in August 2005 following months of deadlock. His New Front coalition won the May 2005 parliamentary elections.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +597. There are no area codes.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly limited to Paramaribo.

Internet

Internet cafes are available.

Media

The government allows freedom of expression and the state broadcast media offer a range of views.

Post

Airmail to and from Europe usually takes about one week to arrive.0700 to mid-afternoon.

Press

• Dutch-language dailies include De Ware Tijd and De West.

Radio

•Stichting Radio Omroep Suriname is state-owned.
• Other commercial stations include Radio Apintie, Radio Nickerie and Radio Paramaribo

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2010-December 2011 period.
2010
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
20 Mar *Holi Phagwa
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
2 May Labor Day
1 Jul Abolition of Slavery Day
30 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Nov Independence Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
20 Mar *Holi Phagwa
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
1 Jul Abolition of Slavery Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Nov Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
*Date to be confirmed.
(a) In addition, Chinese, Jewish and Indian businesses will be closed for their own religious holidays. (b) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself, which may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (c) * Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is only possible to forecast the approximate time of their occurrence.

Contact Information

Surinam Tourism Foundation

Dr JF Nassylaan 2, Paramaribo, Surinam
Tel: 424 878.
Website: www.suriname-tourism.org

Embassy of the Republic of Surinam in The Netherlands

Alexander Gogelweg 2, 2517 JH 3-650844, The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: (70) 365 0844.

Embassy of the Republic of Surinam in the USA

4301 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 460, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 244 7488.
Website: www.surinameembassy.org

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK

22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com