In 2003, Suriname was located in the northeastern region of South America. It had a population of around 500,000 people and its economy was largely driven by bauxite mining, forestry, and agriculture. The country had adopted a democratic system of government with a strong emphasis on human rights. According to computergees, Suriname maintained strong diplomatic ties with other South American nations such as Brazil and Guyana while it also had close relations with the United States. In 2003, tourism to the country was beginning to grow as visitors were drawn to its vibrant cities, unique culture, and diverse landscape. The country offered numerous attractions such as Central Suriname Nature Reserve which showcased the unique history of the region, Brownsberg Nature Park which provided opportunities for wildlife viewing, Raleighvallen Nature Reserve which offered stunning views of natural beauty, and Galibi Nature Reserve which protected native plants and animals. Additionally, there were many opportunities for outdoor activities such as exploring Paramaribo or visiting Nieuw Nickerie which is home to vibrant street art scenes.
Yearbook 2003
Suriname. According to Countryaah.com, Suriname Independence Day is November 25. A diplomatic crisis in relations with Guyana occurred in January when a newly published official map showed the so-called New River Triangle at the upper Corantijn River as part of Surinam’s territory. The border commission and the cooperation council formed by the two countries to create better relations canceled their meetings. However, negotiations have also been held on joint exploitation of mineral resources in another disputed area at the mouth of the Corantijn River.
Since 2004, Suriname had been in conflict with Guyana over the right to extract oil and gas deposits in the sea off the coast of the two countries. In September 2007, a UN arbitration court ruled the conflict. Acc. experts, the deposits can hold about 15,000 million barrels of oil and just as much natural gas.
Dési Bouterse was elected president in July 2010 with 36 out of 50 votes in parliament and in August put in office. Bouterses party, Mega Combinatie had obtained 40% of the vote in the parliamentary elections and formed an alliance with 2 smaller parties to get Bouterse elected.
Bouterse remained a highly controversial president who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2000 at a Dutch drug trafficking court, but he was never sent to prison. In April 2012, his government passed an amnesty for all those involved in the “December assassinations” in 1982, in which 15 young critics of Bouterse were picked up by the military and killed. The amnesty triggered demonstrations in Paramaribo and protests from international human rights organizations.
Acc. telegrams published by WikiLeaks in 2011, until 2006, Bouterse was involved in drug trafficking.
The parliamentary elections in May 2015 were won by Bouterses NDP, who received 45.5% of the vote in 26 seats in the 51 seat parliament. Parliament subsequently elected Bouterse for a second term as president.
The president’s son, Dino, was sentenced in March 2015 to 16¼ years in prison for offering Lebanese Hezbollah the establishment of a base.
Republic of Suriname Brief Guide
According to AbbreviationFinder, Suriname is a state in South America. Its neighbors are Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south and French Guiana to the east. To the north of the country is the Atlantic Ocean. The country covers an area of about 160,000 square kilometers and has a population of nearly 450,000.
The time zone of Suriname is UTC-03. Daylight saving time is not used.
Currency: Surinamese Dollar (SRD). Paramaribo Airport has a currency exchange. Not all hotels exchange money. There are ATMs in the largest cities. Credit cards are successful at hotels, but elsewhere cash is the best means of payment. It is advisable to use euros or US dollars as a reserve currency.
Tips
A tip is given for good service. Waiters and restaurant staff can leave 5-10% tips on the final invoice, unless a service charge is included in the invoice price.
Security
Pocket thefts occur. Walking alone at night should be avoided. General caution is advisable throughout the trip. Current security warnings for all countries can be found on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ website.
Food & beverage
Suriname’s food culture has been widely influenced by the world, including spicy India and Southeast Asia. Traditional dishes include e.g. cooking fried bananas bakbana of cassava and coconut Bojo, Moksi-Alesi rice dose fish, soup nut and filled with vegetables, roti tomato sandwich. All water and beverages must be industrially bottled. Salads and vegetables should also be rinsed with bottled water. The food should be heated or cooked. Reheated foods should be avoided.