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The country
is the smallest sovereign state in terms of area and population
in South America.
Capital (and largest city)
Paramaribo
5°50'N, 55°10'W
Official languages Dutch |
Government Constitutional
democracy
- President Ronald Venetiaan
Independence from the Netherlands
- Date November 25, 1975
Area
- Total 163,820 km² (91st)
63,251 sq mi
- Water (%) 1.1 |
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Population
- July 2005 estimate 449,888 (170th)
- 2004 census 487,024
- Density 2.7 /km² (223rd)
7.0 /sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
- Total $2.898 billion (161st)
- Per capita $5,683 (99th)
HDI (2003) 0.759 (medium) (89th) |
Currency Surinamese
dollar (SRD)
Time zone ART (UTC-3)
- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC-3)
Internet TLD .sr
Calling code +597
Click on pictures to enlarge and enjoy!
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Coat of arms of Suriname
On 25 November, 1975 the independent Republic of Suriname adopted
an official coat of arms. The motto reads Justitia - Pietas - Fides
(Justice - Piety - Loyalty). It further constists of two natives
who carry a shield. The left half of the shield symbolizes the past,
as slaves were abducted via ship out of Africa. The right half,
the side of the present, shows a Royal Palm, also the symbol of
a just person {"The just person should blossom like a palm").
The diamond in the middle is the stylized form of the heart, which
is regarded as the organ of love. The points of the diamond show
the four directions of the wind. Inside the diamond is a five-pointed
star. This star symbolizes the five continents from which the inhabitants
of Suriname migrated: Africa, America, Australia, Asia, and Europe.
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