24/07/2024
17 Facts You Didn't Know About Suriname:
1. Suriname is the smallest country by land area on the continent, with just about 163,820 square kilometers.
2. The official language of Suriname is Dutch, making it the only country in South America where Dutch is the official language.
3. Suriname is incredibly diverse ethnically, with significant populations of Hindustani, Javanese, Maroons, Creoles, Chinese, Indigenous peoples, and Europeans.
4. The country has a rich tapestry of religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and indigenous beliefs. The large Hindu and Muslim populations are particularly notable in a predominantly Christian continent.
5. Suriname is home to one of the few water villages in South America, called Nieuw Amsterdam, which is reminiscent of Venice, with houses built on stilts over water.
6. The currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), introduced in 2004 to replace the Surinamese guilder.
7. The Suriname River runs through the heart of the country and is crucial for transportation, agriculture, and hydroelectric power.
8. Around 80% of Suriname is covered by tropical rainforest, part of the Amazon biome, making it one of the most forested countries in the world.
9. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve, a vast protected area, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and pristine ecosystems.
10. The highest point in Suriname is Julianatop in the Wilhelmina Mountains, standing at 1,280 meters (4,199 feet).
11. Suriname was once one of the world's largest bauxite producers, which is a key raw material for aluminum.
12. Besides Dutch, many people in Suriname speak Sranan Tongo, an English-based creole, as well as other languages like Hindi, Javanese, and various Maroon and Indigenous languages.
13. The capital city, Paramaribo, is known for its colonial Dutch architecture, with many wooden buildings that have earned it the nickname "the wooden city."
14. Suriname is home to one of the oldest synagogues in the Americas, and it stands adjacent to a historic mosque in Paramaribo, symbolizing the country's religious tolerance.
15. Suriname has a unique genre of music called Kaseko, which blends African, European, and Indigenous influences, characterized by its rhythmic complexity and vibrant sound.
16. The Maroons, descendants of escaped African slaves, have maintained autonomous communities in the interior, preserving African traditions and languages.
17. Suriname hosts numerous cultural festivals throughout the year, such as the Hindu Diwali and Holi festivals, Islamic Eid celebrations, and the indigenous Owru Yari (New Year’s) celebration.
