Caribbean
Country Profiles
Suriname
Suriname is one of two Caribbean countries that are
geographically located in South America (the other is Guyana).
Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America,
has the lowest population density of all South American countries
and is the only Dutch-speaking country on the continent.
Suriname covers an area of 163,270 square kilometres that is
mostly rolling hills with narrow, swampy costal plains. The
climate is tropical and high temperatures are moderated by
trade winds. The country experiences few natural disasters.
Suriname has a constitutional democracy headed by Runaldo Venetiaan.
Elections are scheduled for May 2005. The country is divided
into ten districts and the capital is Paramaribo.
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People
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|
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Human Development Index Ranking (out of 173)
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74
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Population (millions)
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0.4
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Population growth rate (%)
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0.3
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Adult literacy rate (% age 15 and above)
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94.0
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Health
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Life expectancy
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70.6
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Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)
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27
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People living with HIV/AIDS (% adults 15-49)
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1.20
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Population using improved water sources (%)
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95
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Population using adequate sanitation facilities
(%)
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83
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Economy
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GDP (US$ billions)
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0.8
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Population living below national poverty line (%)
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---
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Source: United Nation Human Development Reports,
Human Development Indicators 2002
--- indicates information not available
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