Fact 1: The tiniest country in South America
Suriname, located on the northeast coast of South America, is the smallest country on the continent. Despite its diminutive size, it's packed with a wealth of ecological and cultural diversity.
Fact 2: It’s the most forested country in the world
Suriname is home to one of the most untouched primary rainforests in the world and has been named the most forested nation globally. A whopping 93% of Suriname is covered in lush rainforest.
Fact 3: One of the least populated countries in the world
Suriname may be small, but it’s also sparsely populated. With a population of just under 600,000 people, it's one of the least populated countries globally.
Fact 4: Multicultural melting pot
Suriname is culturally diverse, with inhabitants from various ethnic backgrounds, including East Indian, Afro-Surinamese, Javanese, Chinese, and Indigenous groups. This rich cultural mix is reflected in the country's cuisine, music, and languages.
Fact 5: Trilingual society
The official language is Dutch, but most of the residents are trilingual. In addition to Dutch, Sranan Tongo and English are widely spoken.
Fact 6: A part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands until 1975
Suriname was a Dutch colony for centuries and remained a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands until it gained independence in 1975.
Fact 7: Home to one of the largest protected areas in the world
Suriname is home to the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, one of the largest protected areas of rainforest in the world. This massive reserve stretches over 1.6 million hectares and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Fact 8: A Kingdom of Tribal communities
A significant portion of the far interior of Suriname is inhabited by tribal Indigenous communities. The tribal groups mainly include the Maroons, descendants of African slaves who escaped plantations, and the Amerindians, the indigenous inhabitants of Suriname.
Fact 9: Land of rivers
Suriname is named after the Suriname River, the country's most significant waterway. Many other rivers flow through Suriname, forming a significant part of its landscape and important transportation routes.
Fact 10: Currency named after a bird
The Surinamese Dollar, abbreviated as SRD, is the official currency of Suriname. It was named after an indigenous bird called Dollarbird.
Fact 11: Unique wildlife
Owing to its dense rainforests, Suriname is home to diverse and unique wildlife species, including jaguars, giant river turtles, tapirs, and several species of monkeys and birds.
Fact 12: Suriname watermelon
Despite its name, the Suriname watermelon is not a watermelon, but a fruit with a hard shell that contains sweet seeds. It's a popular snack in the country.
Fact 13: Land of unresolved borders
The borders of Suriname have been a contentious issue for centuries. There are still unresolved territorial disputes with Guyana and French Guiana.
Fact 14: The country that’s in love with rice
Rice is a staple food in Suriname, and the country is the largest exporter of rice in the Caribbean region.
Fact 15: Suriname Aluminum Company
Suriname's economy is heavily reliant on the Suriname Aluminum Company (Suralco). The company was once the largest single employer and the largest contributor to the country's GDP.
Fact 16: A wooden marvel
The Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral in the Capital city, Paramaribo, is the largest wooden structure in the Western hemisphere. It’s a giant cathedral made entirely out of wood.
Fact 17: A gold mining country
Suriname is rich in natural resources and is one of the top 10 producers of Bauxite in the world. But gold mining has surpassed Bauxite as Suriname's highest earning export.
Fact 18: Famous for blue frogs
Suriname is famous for the unique and brightly colored blue poison dart frog. This frog is highly toxic and uses its vibrant color as a warning to predators.
Fact 19: Suriname’s Flag
Suriname's flag is quite meaningful and colorful. The green strips represent the fertility of the land, white is for peace and justice, red is for love and the progress of the nation is in represented by the yellow star at the center.
Fact 20: Multi-faith country
Suriname boasts one of the most religiously diverse populations in the world, with significant Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Winti spiritual beliefs followers. This diversity can be seen in the capital city, Paramaribo, where a synagogue is located next to a mosque, epitomizing Suriname’s religious tolerance.