• Instant quote
• Privacy

• about us
• contact

• Travel advice
• Health advice
• Illness
• Country guide
• Visas
• Gap years
• Legal issues
• Embassies

Introduction: Suriname is located along the north east coast of South America.It is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by the Marowijne River (which forms the border with French Guiana), to the west by the Corantijn River (which forms the border with Guyana), and to the south by forests, savannahs and mountains which separate it from Brazil.

Official Name: Republic of Suriname
Area: 163,265 Sq Km (63,037 Sq Miles)
Population: 435,500
Continent: South America
Density per square mile: 7
Capital City: Paramaribo
Religions: 22% Roman Catholic, 15% Moravian, 26% Hindu, 19% Muslim and the remainder follow local native tribal beliefs.

Language: 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 lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Government: Republic

Currency: Surinamese dollar
GDP: $1.5 billion
GDP Per Head: $3,500

Natural Resources: Timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum & iron ore.
Land Use: Arable Land 0.37%
Agriculture: Bananas, paddy rice, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products & shrimp.
Industry: 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 lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Tourism: Suriname has its own fair share of nature parks and reserves. Suriname is an unusual cultural enclave with an extraordinary ethnic variety deriving from Dutch colonization with many examples of Dutch colonial architecture.

Natural Hazards: None
Health Risks:

Climate: Suriname has a tropical climate that is characterised by high rainfall, high humidity and hot temperatures. There are four seasons, two dry seasons from August to November and February to April as well as two wet seasons from April to August and November to February, although none of the seasons are completely wet or dry. Average annual rainfall in Paramaribo is 87 inches and average temperature ranges are approx. 26 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Time: GMT/UTC - 3 hours
National Days: November 25 - Independence Day

Visas: British visitors require visas to enter Suriname. They must be obtained in advance. Visa information can be obtained from the Suriname Consulate in Amsterdam; (Tel: +11 31 206 426 137; Fax: +11 31 206 465 311). Virtually all other visitors require a visa also.

British Embassy Details