Suriname: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities Former Dictator Bouterse Returns to Power Geography Suriname lies on the northeast coast of South America, with Guyana to the west, French Guiana to the east, and Brazil to the south. It is about one-tenth larger than Michigan. The principal rivers are the Corantijn on the Guyana border, the Marowijne in the east, and the Suriname, on which the capital city of Paramaribo is situated. Government Constitutional democracy. History Suriname's earliest inhabitants were the Surinen Indians, after whom the country is named. By the 16th century they had been supplanted by other South American Indians. Spain explored Suriname in 1593, but by 1602 the Dutch began to settle the land, followed by the English. The English transferred sovereignty to the Dutch in 1667 (the Treaty of Breda) in exchange for New Amsterdam (New York). Colonization was confined to a narrow coastal strip, and until the abolition of slavery in 1863, African slaves furnished the labor for the coffee and sugarcane plantations.

Escaped African slaves fled into the interior, reconstituted their western African culture, and came to be called “Bush Negroes” by the Dutch. After 1870, East Indian laborers were imported from British India and Javanese from the Dutch East Indies. Known as Dutch Guiana, the colony was integrated into the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1948. Two years later Dutch Guiana was granted home rule, except for foreign affairs and defense. After race rioting over unemployment and inflation, the Netherlands granted Suriname complete independence on Nov. 25, 1975. A coup d'état in 1980 brought military rule. During much of the 1980s, Suriname was under the repressive control of Lieut. Col. Dési Bouterse. The Netherlands stopped all aid in 1982 when Suriname soldiers killed 15 journalists, politicians, lawyers, and union officials. Defense spending increased significantly, and the economy suffered. A guerrilla insurgency by the Jungle Commando (a Bush Negro guerrilla group) threatened to destabilize the country and was harshly suppressed by Bouterse.

Free elections were held on May 25, 1991, depriving the military of much of its political power. In 1992 a peace treaty was signed between the government and several guerrilla groups. In March 1997, the president announced new economic measures, including eliminating import tariffs on most basic goods, coupled with strict price controls. Later that year, the Netherlands said it would prosecute Bouterse for cocaine trafficking. Public discontent over the 70% inflation rate prompted President Jules Wijdenbosch to hold elections in May 2000, a year ahead of schedule. The New Front for Democracy and Development, a coalition led by former president Ronald Venetiaan, won the election. Venetiaan was reelected in Aug. 2005. In May 2006, torrential flooding left more than 20,000 homeless. In July 2007, a United Nations tribunal settled a long-simmering maritime dispute between Suriname and Guyana. The UN redrew the maritime border to give both countries access to an area potentially rich in oil deposits.

Suriname | history - geography | Britannica.com Country Data Overview (PDF) Suriname, country located on the northern coast of South America . Suriname is one of the smallest countries in South America, yet its population is one of the most ethnically diverse in the region. Its economy is dependent on its extensive supply of natural resources, most notably bauxite , of which it is one of the top producers in the world. The southern four-fifths of the country is almost entirely covered with pristine tropical rainforest . Formerly known as Dutch Guiana, Suriname was a plantation colony of the Netherlands that gained its independence on Nov. 25, 1975. From 1980 to 1987 the country was governed by a succession of military regimes. A new civilian constitution was approved in 1987. Another military coup took place in 1990, but the country returned to civilian rule the following year. The capital, Paramaribo , lies 9 miles (15 km) from the Atlantic Ocean on the Suriname River . Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The Maroni River near the village of Cottica, Suri.

Carl Frank/Photo Researchers Land Suriname is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, by French Guiana to the east, by Brazil to the south, and by Guyana to the west. Suriname is involved in territorial disputes with both Guyana and French Guiana that are legacies of colonial rule. The dispute with Guyana centres on the New River Triangle, a 6,000-square-mile (15,600-square-km) area between two tributaries of the Courantyne River in southern Guyana. In addition to claiming the New River Triangle, Suriname also contests its border with Guyana along the Courantyne: Suriname claims sovereignty over the entire river and thus views its west bank as the border, while Guyana claims that the thalweg, or deepest channel of the river, is the boundary. In 2007 a United Nations international tribunal settled another long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries, in which Suriname was awarded one-third of a disputed area of the Caribbean Sea .

The area in contention with French Guiana is the 5,000-square-mile (13,000-square-km) region between the Itany and Marouini rivers in the southwestern corner of French Guiana. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. list of presidents of Brazil Suriname has a tropical climate. The populated area in the north has four seasons: a minor rainy season from early December to early February, a minor dry season from early February to late April, a major rainy season from late April to mid-August, and a major dry season from mid-August to early December. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo range between 70 and 90 °F (21 and 32 °C). In the interior, diurnal temperature extremes can vary by as much as about 20 degrees. However, the range in average temperatures between the warmest month, September, and the coldest, January, is only about 3 degrees. Rainfall is highest in the central and southeastern parts of the country. Annual rainfall averages about 75 inches (1,900 mm) in the west and 95 inches (2,400 mm) in Paramaribo.

Plant and animal life The flora of the coastal area is better known than that of the interior. It consists of some 4,000 species of ferns and seed plants and a large number of mosses, weeds, and mildews. About nine-tenths of Suriname’s area is covered with heterogeneous forest consisting of more than 1,000 species of trees. The baboen (Virola surinamensis), which grows in the coastal area, is used to make plywood. The kapok (Ceiba pentandra) reaches a height of more than 150 feet (45 metres). The Central Suriname Nature Reserve, covering nearly 3,950,000 acres (1,600,000 hectares), was established in June 1998 in west-central Suriname. It is one of the largest protected areas of rainforest in the world and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. There are some 150 species of mammals, including monkeys, wild pigs, deer, manatees, jaguars, ocelots, armadillos, sloths, and anteaters. The tapir is the largest land mammal.

Reptiles include caimans, iguanas, and the boa constrictor. The beaches on the eastern part of the coast are breeding grounds for marine turtles, which are protected by law. About 650 species of birds, including hummingbirds, vultures, and parrots, have been identified. Some 350 species of fish occupy coastal and inland waters. People Ethnic groups South Asians, descendants of contract labourers from India, are the largest ethnic group in Suriname, making up more than one-fourth of the population. The second major ethnic group, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the population, is the Creoles, who in Suriname are people of mainly African descent. The descendants of Javanese (people from the island of Java in Indonesia) contract labourers and the Maroons (descendants of escaped slaves of African origin) each constitute nearly one-sixth of the population. At least one-eighth of the population is of mixed ethnicity . Indians, descendants of the original inhabitants of Suriname, make up only a tiny fraction of the population.

The coastal groups include the Carib and Arawak , while the Trio (Tiriyo), Wayana-Aparai, Warao (Warrau), Wayarekule (Akuriyo), Tucayana, and Akurio live in the interior. Minor ethnic groups in Suriname include descendants of Chinese, Lebanese, Portuguese, and Dutch immigrants; Creoles from the West Indies; and U.S. citizens. More-recent immigrants include Chinese—known in Suriname as “New Chinese” to distinguish them from the descendants of those Chinese who were brought over as labourers in the 19th century—and Brazilians who arrived in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Languages Dutch is the official language of Suriname, but the extent to which members of the various ethnic groups are able to use the language differs. Most of the population learns Dutch as a second language. Additional languages include Sranan and other creole languages ; English; Sarnami, which originated from Hindi and Urdu; Javanese ; and a number of Maroon and South American Indian languages . Religion The principal religion is Christianity , brought to Suriname by European colonizers.

About two-fifths of the people are Christians, mainly Roman Catholics and Moravians. Hindus, nearly all of whom are South Asians, account for about one-fifth of the population. Slightly more than one-eighth of Surinamese are Muslim, mostly the Javanese and a small South Asian group. Judaism, present in Suriname since the early 16th century, is still practiced, while many of the Chinese are Confucians. African and Indian religions are still widely followed. Settlement patterns Nearly three-fourths of the Surinamese population resides in urban areas. Some one-fifth of them are concentrated in the capital, Paramaribo, and its surrounding area. The capital city is spread out along the Suriname River. Many of its Dutch colonial buildings remain intact, and its historic centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002.

Smaller urban centres include Nieuw Nickerie , in the northwest near the Guyanese border; Albina, in the northeast on the border with French Guiana; Moengo, in the centre of the bauxite-mining region in northeastern Suriname; and Paranam, in the bauxite-mining and bauxite-processing region on the Suriname River south of Paramaribo. Small settlements of Maroons and Indians make up almost the entire population of the interior. Some Indian villages are located in the coastal area, and nomadic groups live along the Brazilian border in the south. Paramaribo, Suri. Robert Caputo—Aurora/Getty Images Demographic trends The birth rate in Suriname has steadily decreased since independence; indeed, from 1970 to 2007 it dropped by about half, to below the world average. More than one-fourth of the population is under age 15. After 1973, when it was announced that Suriname would become independent, a large number of people emigrated to the Netherlands.

By 1980, according to some estimates, one-third of the population had left the country; many of those who left were professionals and skilled workers. In the early 21st century, migration to the Netherlands had decreased significantly, and many retired workers had returned to Suriname. Meanwhile, starting in the late 20th century, significant numbers of Chinese immigrated to Suriname. In addition, during the early 21st century there was an influx of Brazilians, who came to the country mainly to work in gold-mining activities. Economy Suriname’s economy is dependent on mineral resources, mainly oil , gold , and bauxite, from which alumina (used in the smelting of aluminum metal) is made. Aside from natural resources, the chief sources of income are from agriculture and remittances, mostly from the Netherlands, French Guiana, and the United States. Suriname is a member of the Caribbean Community , an organization of Caribbean countries and dependencies. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Less than 1 percent of Suriname’s land is arable, and about half of this is cultivated . Most of the farmland is on the New Coastal Plain.

In this region drainage is necessary most of the year, owing to a surplus of precipitation. During dry periods evaporation exceeds precipitation, and thus irrigation is necessary. More than half of the cultivated land in Suriname is planted with rice , the basic food staple. There are two rice harvests every year—the principal one in the spring and a second crop in the autumn. Some rice is exported, as are bananas, citrus fruits, coconuts, and palm oil. Sugar, coffee, and cocoa, formerly important export items, are produced mainly for domestic consumption . Because more than nine-tenths of Suriname is forested, great timber resources exist, but they have not been fully exploited. Plywood and timber are exported. There is a small fishing industry, centred in Paramaribo, that exports shrimp to North America . Resources and power Bauxite is the leading mineral in Suriname, with mines near Paranam and Overdacht. Gold mining has grown in importance. Reserves of chromium, clay, copper, diamonds, iron ore, manganese, nickel, platinum, and tin are also found in Suriname.

The State Oil Company of Suriname (Staatsolie) produces a significant amount of oil from wells in the Tambaredjo area, from which some crude oil is exported, and production activities began at the neighbouring Calcutta field in 2006. A small refinery was established there in the 1990s. Offshore oil exploration of the Guyana-Suriname Basin, which was stalled for decades because of the maritime boundary dispute with Guyana, began again in 2008. The Brokopondo Dam and a hydroelectric power plant on the Suriname River produce electricity for the bauxite-refining operations in Paranam. The dam impounds the 600-square-mile (1,550-square-km) W.J. van Blommestein Lake. Manufacturing The main industry in Suriname is the mining and processing of bauxite. There are an aluminum smelter and an alumina refinery in Paranam. Apart from the bauxite and wood-processing industries, manufacturing is limited to small import-substitution enterprises. Processed foods, clothing, cigarettes, and construction material are produced for the domestic market.

Finance, trade, and services Local banks and insurance companies either are subsidiaries of or cooperate with foreign companies, mostly from the Netherlands and the United States. Monetary policy is controlled by the minister of finance and the president of the Central Bank of Suriname (established 1957), the bank of issue. The national currency is the Suriname dollar, which replaced the guilder in 2004. Bauxite, alumina, and gold account for almost three-fourths of total exports. Imports consist mostly of machinery and transport equipment, fuels, food products, and chemical products. Suriname’s main trade partners are the United States, Canada , the Netherlands, and Trinidad and Tobago . Nearly two-fifths of the population is employed in the service sector, which employs a larger proportion of the labour force than any other sector. Tourism began to develop only in the early 21st century and is centred on the country’s environmental features. Transportation Surface transport systems are for the most part limited to the coastal area. The East-West Highway connects Paramaribo with Albina on the eastern border and with Nieuw Nickerie on the western border.

There is a road from Paramaribo to Afobaka near the Brokopondo Dam. Only one-fourth of the roads are paved. Rivers and canals are an important means of transport. The lower courses of the larger rivers are accessible to oceangoing vessels. Paramaribo is the chief port. An international airport is located about 25 miles (40 km) south of the capital city in the town of Zanderij. Government and society Constitutional framework Under the 1987 constitution, legislative power is exercised by the popularly elected 51-member unicameral National Assembly , which in turn elects a president and vice president. The president, vice president, and members of the National Assembly serve five-year terms. The president is the chairman of a nonelective, military-influenced Council of State, which ensures that the government’s actions conform to the law. It has constitutional powers to annul laws passed by the National Assembly. The judicial system consists of a Court of Justice and cantonal courts. Suriname is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the final court of appeal for Caribbean Community members. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Local government Local government was established in Suriname in 1987. It is divided into distrikten (districts) and ressorten (subdistricts). Each district has a representative and an executive branch of government. The former are run by district raden (district councils), and the latter are administered by districtsbestuur (district administrations). At the subdistrict level there is only a representative branch managed by ressort raad (subdistrict councils). Both the district and subdistrict councils are elected every five years at the country’s general elections. Political process Universal suffrage was introduced in 1948; Surinamese citizens age 18 and older are allowed to vote. Political mobilization and party affiliation have evolved along strongly ethnic lines. South Asians, Creoles, and Javanese all have played major roles in the development of the country’s constitutional democracy . The Progressive Reform Party (Vooruitstrvende Hervormde Partij; VHP) is a leading Hindu party; the Suriname National Party (Nationale Partij Suriname; NPS) was founded by Creoles; and the Pendawa Lima (“Five Sons of King Pandu”) is a predominately Javanese party.

The Surinamese Liberation Army (SLA), a guerrilla group better known as the Jungle Commando and consisting mainly of Maroons, formed in 1986 with the intent to overthrow the standing government. In retaliation, the National Army carried out raids in Maroon villages. The killing and detaining of many Maroons resulted in the flight of many to French Guiana. After a formal peace agreement was reached in 1992, most of them returned to Suriname, where they control economic activity on their lands. Health and welfare Health conditions are relatively good in Suriname. Most tropical diseases are combated effectively. Medical care in the interior is provided by the Foundation for Medical Mission of the Evangelical Brethren in Suriname, which operates medical centres in the larger Maroon and Indian settlements. Most of the population has health insurance. All collective labour agreements include medical care. The unemployed and workers in the informal sector, however, must obtain a special certificate from the government to receive free medical care. Unemployment benefits and other social provisions are almost nonexistent. Education About nine-tenths of Surinamese age 15 and older are literate.

Suriname’s system of education is modeled on that of the Netherlands, and Dutch is the language of instruction. School attendance is compulsory for children up to age 12, and education at all levels is free. More than nine-tenths of the children in the coastal areas attend primary school. Suriname has secondary schools, junior colleges, a teacher’s college, and vocational and technical schools. The Anton de Kom University of Suriname, founded in 1968 as the University of Suriname, has faculties of law, medicine, social science and economics, engineering, and natural resources. Cultural life Cultural milieu Suriname is a culturally diverse society, with harmonious contact between its ethnic groups in the cultural sphere. Fine arts, such as painting and sculpture, were traditionally middle-class concerns dominated by Western cultural standards, but since independence the works of artists from different ethnic groups have received more recognition. Culinary traditions cross ethnic lines, and elements from South Asian, Javanese, Creole, Western African, and Chinese cuisine are often blended. The arts Suriname’s art forms derive from several ethnic traditions. Those of Javanese descent, for example, support a number of gamelan (Indonesian orchestra) troupes.

Suriname’s Indians and Maroons developed a strong crafts industry, producing colourful textiles, baskets, and wood carvings for export. Most Surinamese writing is in the Dutch, Sranan, and Hindi languages. Among the country’s leading writers are Albert Helman, whose published works include dozens of volumes of fiction and plays; Martinus Haridat Luchtman, who, under the pen name Shrinivasi, is the author of several books of poems; Astrid Roemer, a popular novelist; and Cynthia McLeod, who has written several historical novels that have earned a wide readership in both Suriname and the Netherlands. Surinamese music is represented by musical groups such as Fra Fra Bigband, an orchestra from Paramaribo that blends indigenous forms of kaseko (dance music combining Western march , jazz , and calypso ), kawina (a type of Creole pop music ), and winti (ritual music) to form a distinctly Surinamese brand of Afro-Caribbean jazz. In recent years, Suriname-based groups also have collaborated with Western African musicians, adding talking drums and thumb pianos ( lamellaphones ) to their instrumentation.

Sports and recreation The country’s most popular sports are football (soccer), basketball, and volleyball. Although Suriname has no professional sports teams, several Surinamese players have become members of well-known European soccer clubs. Suriname made its Olympic debut at the 1968 Mexico City Games. Suriname’s Anthony Nesty won the gold medal in the 100-metre butterfly competition at the 1988 Seoul Games and later earned a bronze in the same event at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Fishing is a common recreational sport, particularly from August to October, when many people fish with bamboo poles in freshwater swamps and creeks. Hunting is also popular. A traditional Surinamese activity is birdkeeping. The most commonly caught birds are the large-billed seed finches (Oryzoborus crassirostris) known in the country as twa-twas. A competition among these whistling birds takes place Sunday mornings at Independence Square in Paramaribo and in other cities throughout Suriname. Media and publishing All non-government-owned media were shut down in 1982. However, since then several private entities resumed operation.

The major independent daily newspapers are De Ware Tijd (“The True Times”) and De West (“The West”); both are printed in Dutch. Most of the government-owned television and radio stations broadcast in Dutch, and some also air in local languages. There are a large number of smaller commercial radio stations. Page 1 of 2 Which countries border Brazil? | Reference.com Which countries border Brazil? A: Quick Answer Ten countries border Brazil, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. The only countries in South America that do not border Brazil are Ecuador and Chile. Full Answer Brazil is the largest country on the continent of South America. It has the third-longest distance of international land borders, totaling 16,885 kilometers, which is equivalent to 10,492 miles. The only countries that have longer international land borders are China and Russia. China borders 14 sovereign states along a border of 22,117 kilometers, while Russia borders 16 sovereign states, with a land border length of 20,241 kilometers.

The longest land border that Brazil shares is with Bolivia at 3,400 kilometers. The second-longest border it shares is with Venezuela, measuring to 2,200 kilometers. The border between Colombia and Brazil is a shared 1,643 kilometers. Peru comes in fourth with a 1,560-kilometer border. Paraguay shares 1,290 kilometers. Brazil's border with Argentina is 1,224 kilometers, and the border between Brazil and Guyana is 1,119 kilometers. Uruguay's border runs 1,068 kilometers along Brazil, and French Guiana shares 730 kilometers with Brazil. The shortest shared border is with Suriname, measuring out to 597 kilometers. Brazil's longest border is its coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, covering 7,491 kilometers. Suriname Facts, Facts about Suriname Facts about Suriname Suriname Facts Where is Suriname? The Republic of Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America. The country is located in northern South America. It has an estimated population of 490,000.

The country’s name is believed to be derived from a Taino group called Surinen, who first inhabited the region. Which countries border Suriname? The country is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and Atlantic coast to the north. What is the capital of Suriname? Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname. It is located on the banks of Suriname River and has an estimated population of 250,000. Which is the largest city of Suriname? The capital of Suriname, Paramaribo is the largest city of Suriname. The historic inner city of Paramaribo was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. It has the country’s only cinema, and on Sundays and other holidays there is a popular bird-song competition. What is the currency of Suriname? Since 2004, the Suriname dollar has been the currency of Suriname. Its ISO 4217 code is SRD and is divided into 100 cents.

Coins are available in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 100, and 250 cents, while notes are available in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. What are the main ethnic groups in Suriname? The largest ethnic group in Suriname is the Hindustani, who emigrated from northern India in the 19th Century. Hindustani constitute 37% of the population, followed by Creole community (31%), Javanese (15%), Maroons (10%), and Amerindians (2%). What is the official language of Suriname? The official language of Suriname is Dutch. The country became an associate member of the Dutch Language Union in 2004. Along with Dutch, the country has many recognized regional languages. These are: Sranan Tongo, Hindi, Bhojpuri, English, Sarnami, Javanese, Hakka, Malay, etc. What is the religion of Suriname? The country has many religious and ethnic groups and the constitution provides for freedom of religion.

Overall, 40.7% of the population is Christian, 20% is Hindu, 13.5% is Muslim, while 3.3% follow indigenous religions. What is the literacy rate in Suriname? According to the statistics compiled by UNICEF, the estimated literacy rate in Suriname is 91%. The main university in the country is the Anton de Kom university. Which model of governance is followed in Suriname? Suriname is a democracy based on the 1987 constitution. The legislative consists of 51-member unicameral National Assembly, elected by the citizen for five years. The country is divided into 10 administrative districts and every district is headed by district commissioner appointed by the president. Who is the political leader of Suriname? Desi Bouterse is the president of Suriname. He is the ninth president of the republic, and was elected on July 19, 2010. Robert Ameerali is the vice president. When is the National Day of Suriname celebrated? November 25 is celebrated as the National Day of Suriname. The country was a plantation colony of the Netherlands.

In 1954, the Dutch granted a limited self-government to Suriname, with the Netherlands retaining control of defense and foreign affairs. On this day in 1975, Dutch government granted full independence to the country. What is the economy of Suriname like? Bauxite industry dominates the economy of the country. It comprises more than 15% of the GDP and 70% of export earnings. The estimated GDP of the country is 4.794 billion dollars. Rice, bananas, and shrimp are other main exports. The economy of the country is dependent on commerce. Its main trade partners are Netherlands, United States, Canada and Caribbean countries. What are the important landmarks in Suriname? The major landmarks of the country are: Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, which is constructed over the river Suriname and was completed in 2000. The Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, which is 114 years old. It was a theater before being converted into a cathedral. Suriname is one of the few countries in the world where a synagogue is located next to a mosque. It is located in the center of the capital.

Guyana Facts, Facts about Guyana Facts about Guyana Know Facts about World Countries Afghanistan Facts Where is Guyana? Guyana is a sovereign state located on the northern coast of South America. Culturally, it is considered part of the Anglophone Caribbean. What is the capital of Guyana? Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana. It is located in the Demerara-Mahaica region of the country. The city has an estimated population of 239,227. Georgetown is the administrative and financial services centre of the country. The city is also a famous tourist destination with major attractions like St. George's Anglican Cathedral, and the Demerara Harbour Bridge. What countries border Guyana? Guyana is bordered by Suriname to the east, Venezuela to the north-west, and Brazil to the south and south-west. How big is Guyana? Guyana covers a total area of 83,000 square miles of which 76,000 square miles is land and the remaining 7,000 square miles is covered with water. What are the ethnic groups in Guyana? The population of Guyana is racially and ethnically diverse.

The majority of the the Guyanese population belongs to the descendants of immigrants from India, known as East Indians or Indo-Guyanese. The second-largest ethnic group in the country are the Afro-Guyanese, comprising thirty percent of the population. There are people of mixed heritage as well, and aboriginals like the Arawak, Carib, Macushi, Akawaio, Arecuna, Wai Wai, Patamona, Wapixana, and Warao constitute ten percent of the Guyanaese. There are also a number of Portuguese and Chinese in the country. What are the administrative divisions of Guyana? Guyana is divided into ten regions that are further divided into twenty-seven neighbourhood councils. Who are the political leaders of Guyana? The government of Guyana is a semi-presidential republic. President - Bharrat Jagdeo Prime Minister - Sam Hinds What currency is used in Guyana? The Guyanese dollar denoted by the ISO 4217 code GYD is the official currency of Guyana. It has been the nation's currency since January 29, 1839. It is denoted by the currency sign $. What is the official language of Guyana?

The official language of Guyana is English. and used in its schools. Cariban languages such as the Akawaio, Wai-Wai, Arawak and Macushi are the minority languages. A dialect of the Guyanese language, the Guyanese Creole is also widely spoken. What is the religion of Guyana? The pre-dominant religion of Guyana is Christianity. The largest denominations include Pentecostals, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Seventh-day Adventists. Almost twenty-eight percent of the people practice Hinduism. There are also a few members of Islam, the Baha'i Faith and Rastafarianism. What is the economy of Guyana like? The economy of Guyana depends on agriculture; rice is the major crop. Bauxite mining, gold mining, timber, and shrimp fishing are the other economic activities that drive the finances of the country. In 2010, the GDP (PPP) of Guyana was estimated at $5.379 billion, while the per capita was $6,964. The country has a large sugar industry, which accounts for twenty-eight percent of all export earnings.

Manufactured items, machinery, petroleum, and food items are the major imports. The main trading partners of Guyana are: Canada, United States, Portugal, United Kingdom, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, China, Cuba, Singapore, Japan , Brazil, and Suriname. When is the national day of Guyana celebrated? The national day of Guyana is celebrated on February 23 every year. The day is celebrated as the Republic Day, and is also known as Mashramani. On this day, Guyana was declared a republic in 1970. Globetrotting Galore by Gunnar Garfors: The Countries that Border the Most Countries The Countries that Border the Most Countries China borders 14 other countries. The same as Russia. That make them great travel hubs. 38 island nations border zero countries. Canada borders only one while the US borders twice as many. But which country borders the most others and can therefore be said to be the most international hub nation in the world? Not something you have even thought about? Geography nerds, unite. Two countries actually share the honor. Both Russia and China border 14 countries each. Including each other.

Russia is the biggest country in the world, but China actually has longer land borders. Sharing borders with so many countries will create challenges with regards to border controls, but certainly also opportunities when it comes to trade and tourism. And from a traveller's viewpoint, both Russia and China are great hubs for travel to all of its neighbours and beyond. Russia is also the only country that separates Norway from North Korea. How about that for some quality trivia? Istanbul, the city with flights to most countries is in Turkey. The country takes a shared 7th place in this highly prestigious competition as it shares borders with 8 countries. 1. China: 14 countries, 22,117 border kilometers 1. Russia: 14 countries, 20,017 border kilometers 3. France: 11 countries, 4,082 border kilometers 4. Brazil: 10 countries, 14,691 border kilometers 5. Democratic Republic of the Congo: 9 countries, 10,730 border kilometers 5. Germany: 9 countries, 3,621 border kilometers 7.

Zambia: 8 countries, 5,667 border kilometers 7. Tanzania: 8 countries, 3,861 border kilometers 7. Turkey: 8 countries, 2,648 border kilometers 7. Austria: 8 countries, 2,562 border kilometers 7. Serbia: 8 countries, 2,027 border kilometers 10 countries border 7 countries. And the 11 shortest land borders in the world? Find out here . South America Facts South America Facts Natives of South America South America is the fourth largest continent in the world. There are a total of seven recognized continents (large land mass): Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Map of South America Note: Some geologists group North and South America into one continent – America – making the list six in total. Other scientists combine Europe and Asia into one continent – Eurasia. Flags of South America Fun Quiz For Kids How Many Countries in South America?

There are 12 independent countries in South America: Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Ecuador , Guyana, Paraguay, Peru , Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition, there are 3 dependencies i.e. claimed by an independent country: Falkland Islands – also called the Malvinas (British territory but Argentina still trying to claim it), French Guiana (territory of France), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (British territory). For a list of capital cities in South America with an online travel guide to each click here: Capital Cities in South America Population of South America Depending on the source, the population of South America is between 371,000,000 and 382,000,000 inhabitants. How Large is South America? South America encompasses an area of 17,840,000 square kilometers (6,890,000 square miles). What Borders the Continent of South America? South America is bordered by the Pacific ocean to the West and Atlantic ocean to the North and East. The Caribbean sea is in the Northwest. North and South America are connected by the isthmus of Panama.

What Languages are Spoken in South America? Primarily Spanish and Portuguese – official language of Brazil, the largest country in South America. Indigenous languages include Aymara (2.2 million speakers in Bolivia and Peru) Guarani (in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay) and Quechua (10-13 million speakers in Argentina, Northern Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru). Others as well such as French (in French Guiana) but in much smaller numbers. English is spoken by many as a second language, and is the primary language in Guyana. Dutch is the offical language of Suriname. What is the Primary Religion in South America? The primary religion is Roman Catholicism (over 90% of the population). Also practised is Protestantism, Judaism (Argentina has the largest Jewish community), Islam, Animism (belief that all animals, plants and inanimate objects possess a soul) and shamanism. What is the largest country in South America? Brazil is the largest country and also has the most people – 203,429,773. What is the smallest country in South America?

Suriname is the smallest country with a population of 490,000. It was formerly a Dutch and British and colony and named ‘Dutch Guiana’ until it achieved independence in 1975. Where is the highest waterfall in South America? The highest waterfall is Angel Falls (Santo del Angel in Spanish) located in Venezuela. It is 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) high! More Articles You May Like: The Largest Countries in the World - WorldAtlas.com The Largest Countries in the World The worlds largest nations, measured in square kilometers of land area. Rolling Hills and Vast Vistas in Tuscany, Italy From Cape Horn all the way to the Arctic Circle, the world’s largest countries provide a beautiful snapshot of the variety of geography, climate and wildlife on the planet. Collectively, the world’s largest countries contain rainforest and tundra, mountains and valleys, coastline and desert. As this we explore the largest nations, we visit five different continents, some of the world’s most spectacular geography, and every type of climate imaginable. Excitingly, it’s always changing, too: history has taught that geopolitical boundaries shift dramatically as centuries pass.

In the next decades, who’s to say which countries will become the world’s largest? When 11.5 percent of all the land in the entire world is claimed by just one country, it’s not surprising to learn that the tenth largest country ( Algeria ) could fit into the largest ( Russia ) seven times over. When all 10 of the world's largest countries are taken together, they total 49% of the earth's entire 149 million square kilometres of land. 10 – Algeria The Algerian Sahara, the largest expanse of Saharan dessert Algeria , at 2.38 million square kilometers, is the tenth-largest country in the world by area and the only African country in the top 10. Situated in Northern Africa, Algeria has a Mediterranean coastline 998 km long. 90 percent of the country is desert, and much of its desert regions are highly elevated. The Tell Atlas mountain range runs along the country’s northern border, while the interior, much of it hundreds of meters above sea level, contains the Algerian portion of the Sahara desert. The massive Algerian Sahara extends all the way to the south of the country past its borders with Niger and Mali .

9 – Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country Kazakhstan’s 2.72 million square kilometers stretch over vast plains and highlands. A cool and dry, but not quite desert-like, climate prevails for most of the year. Kazakhstanis experience a great range of temperatures throughout the year, though it doesn’t get as cold in Kazakhstan as it does in parts of its northern neighbor, Russia . Formerly part of the USSR, the largest nation in the world for most of the 20th century, Kazakhstan’s current main claim to fame is its status as the largest landlocked country in the world—and the only landlocked country in the top 10. 8 – Argentina Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Argentina Argentina , the world’s 32nd most populous country, is the world’s eighth largest, and the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world by area. Its 2.78 million square kilometers include some of the most varied geography and climate in the world. Swampy, tropical conditions in the very north give way to freezing glacial regions in the south.

Patagonia, one of the most spectacular and dangerous places on the planet, stretches from the southern Andes in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. The southern tip of Argentina, known as Cape Horn, is one of the stormiest locations on the globe. 6 – Australia The Twelve Apostles, Victoria State, Australia The approximately 4.4 million square kilometer difference between Australia and India represents the second-largest size difference between countries ranked consecutively in the top 10. Australia, at around 7.69 million square kilometers, is over twice the size of India . It’s the largest country in Oceania by far. Technically it is so large that it doesn’t even qualify as an island, it is a continental landmass. The vast majority of its population live in coastal cities like Sydney in the east and Perth in the west, and with good reason: the Australian Outback is one of the world’s driest and hottest regions. Along with extreme climate and geography, Australia is known for its spectacular—and often deadly—wildlife.

5 – Brazil Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The largest country in South America at over 8.51 million square kilometers, Brazil plays home to much of the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon. The Amazon is so dense and vast that explorers and scientists have found human civilizations within—small tribes—that had never made contact with the outside world. Even still, these same experts believe there may be more undiscovered tribes living there unfound still. Brazil also has a lengthy Atlantic coastline on the eastern side, which stretches approximately 8,000 km. Most of its major cities, including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, were built along this coastline, detouring the thick Amazon jungle. 4 – People’s Republic of China The Great Wall of China stretches along a long stretch of the northern border of China China , the United States of America , and Canada each occupy just under seven percent of the globe’s surface. Of these three, China is the smallest—just barely—at approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. It shares a border with 14 different countries, including Afghanistan to the east, Russia to the north, and Vietnam to the south. Its climate and its people vary dramatically.

In the north, temperatures drop to subarctic levels, the center of the nation holds the Gobi, the world’s 4th largest desert, and in the south temperatures reach tropical levels regularly. With over 1.35 billion citizens, China is home to 56 recognized ethnic groups, has the world’s 18th largest Muslim population, the 19th largest Christian population, and with 1.9 doctors per 1000 people, China has more doctors than the entire population of Qatar . 3 – United States of America Long meandering rivers of North Dakota cut through plains and canyons The United States , just bigger than China but slightly smaller than Canada , occupies 9.63 million square kilometers. Bordered by Mexico to the south, and Canada to the north, the United States is home to a diverse array of geography and wildlife. Two North-South features split the nation into three distinct pieces. West of the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific states are known for year round temperate weather and long expanses of beach along the California coast. Sandwiched between the Rockies and the Mississippi River, the great plains stretch from Canada to Mexico, giving the United States one of the world's most fertile growing areas.

Lastly, the third of the nation east of the Mississippi is the industrial and economic hub of America, with major cities spread all along the Eastern seaboard. 2 – Canada The vast wilderness of Canada is popular for outdoor activity Canada’s 9.984 million square kilometers make it the largest country in the western hemisphere, and its 202,080 kilometer coastline means that it has a longer shoreline than any other nation. With a population density of 4 people per square kilometer, this means that each of Canada's 35 million people could have 61 acres for themselves. Positioned between the Arctic and the United States, Canada’s massive frozen tundra extends into the Arctic Circle. Split similar to the USA; in the western half of the country, the Rocky Mountains run north to south, and prairies provide huge grain and canola growing areas. Eastern Canada is the traditional heart of the nation, with Toronto, Montreal, and the national capital of Ottawa, all located in the East. 1 – Russia The Trans-Siberian Railroad is the world's longest railroad Russia’s 17.1 million square kilometres easily make it the world’s largest by area.

In fact, if Russia were to lop off 7 million square kilometers, it would still be the largest—and the lopped-off section would rank seventh overall! Like China , Russia borders 14 different countries. Unlike China, none of Russia is tropical, though humid summers prevail in much of southern Russia. The Taiga, the world’s largest terrestrial biome, extends all the way from Eastern Canada throughout the vast majority of northern Russia. Massive oil reserves exist underneath Russia’s frozen forests and tundra; however, due to the expense and difficulty of extracting it, much of Russia’s oil wealth remains untapped. 50 Largest Countries in the World By Area Rank Political Map of Guyana - Nations Online Project Political Map of Guyana Guyana is a country on the northeastern coast of South America. It is bordered by Venezuela in west, by Brazil in south west and south, by Suriname in east, and by the North Atlantic Ocean in north east. It is the the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay . Disputed areas: the Courantyne River, forms a long part of the border with Suriname, which claims all the territories east of the river.

More than half of the country is claimed by Venezuela (hatched area) which claims the western part of Guyana as far as the Essequibo River, the largest river in Guyana. The country is part of the Guianas, a region in north-eastern South America on the Guiana Shield, an old stable geological formation that forms a portion of the northern coast. The Guianas are bounded by the Orinoco, Negro, and Amazon rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. It includes Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana . With an area of 214,969 km² Guyana is somewhat smaller than the United Kingdom , or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Idaho . The population of Guyana are largely descendents from Asian laborers (Indo-Guyanese, 43%) and African slaves (Afro-Guyanese, 30%. Their ancestors were brought in to work on sugar plantations. There are 17% Guyanese of mixed heritage, and there is also left a small American Indian population (9%).

The country has a population of today 748,000 people (Census 2012), 90% of the residents live in the coastal regions. Spoken languages are English and Guyanese Creole (lingua franca), and Caribbean Hindustani. Geography of Guyana Guyana's landscape offers a variety of natural regions, a narrow, fertile coastal plain dotted with marshes and cultivated land, a belt of white sand more inland in a hilly sand and clay region with rich mineral deposits. The interior consists mostly of rolling hills covered by tropical rainforest, and a series of plateaus, flat-topped mountains, and savannahs. The Rupununi Savannah, a desert and grassland savannah in south west, located between the Rupununi River and the border with Brazil and Venezuela. The Pacaraima Mountains in the western part of the interior highlands, with the country's highest peak, Mount Roraima (2,810 m; 9,220 ft).

Map is showing the South American country with international borders, the national capital Georgetown , province capitals, major towns, villages, and resorts, main roads, secondary roads, the country's only international airport, Cheddi Jagan International Airport ( IATA code: GEO) south of Georgetown. You are free to use this map for educational purposes, please refer to the Nations Online Project. Cities and Towns in Guyana Map shows the location of following Guyanese cities, towns and villages: Aishalton, Anna Regina (capital of the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region), Apoteri, Arimu Mine, Baramanni, Bartica, Biloku, Charity, Corriverton (easternmost town in Guyana at the Corentyne River, opposite Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname, the towns are linked by ferry), Dadanawa, Epira, Five Star, Fort Wellington, Georgetown (capital and largest city; pop. 240,000), Good Hope, Imbaimadai, Issano, Kaituma, Kamarang, Kumaka, Kurupukari, Kwakwani, Lethem, Linden (second largest town; pop.

60,000), Mabaruma, Mahdia, Mara, Masekenari, Matthews’ Ridge, New Amsterdam (sea port and third largest town; pop. 30,000), Normandia, Orealla, Orinduik, Peters Mine, Potaro Landing, Rockstone, Rose Hall, Rosignol, Spring Garden, Surama, TakamaItuni, and Vreed en Hoop.

Question: What is the largest country that borders Suriname?
Answer: Brazil