September 20th, 2009
Author: admin
The Republic of Suriname is situated at the continent of South America just North of the Equator. The country is bordered in the South by the Federal Republic of Brazil, in the North by the Atlantic Ocean, in the East by the French Overseas Department of French Guyana and in the West by the former British colony Guyana, now the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The total size of Surinam in square miles is 164.000 km 80% of this is rainforest.
The main capital of Surinam is Paramaribo most of the population of Surinam lives here. The second capital of Surinam is Nickerie about 4 hours drive from Paramaribo. The district Nickerie is the rice district of Surinam most of the rice harvest is sold all over the world. The district Nickerie is not rich because many of the rice arsenal belong to a few people.
Next to the district Nickerie there are several other districts like Wanica, Para, Commewijne, Marowijne, Saramacca, Brokopondo, Coronie and Sipalwini.
The Surinamese population is multi cultural and has many etnics groups like Creole, Javanese, Hindu, Chinese, Boeroes(former Dutch farmers), Indians, Marons(forest negro’s), Jews and Dutch.
More information can be found in Emigration / History.
Economic factors
Surinam is a third world country there is a big difference between rich and poor. After the independence in 1975, the economic developments in Suriname virtually stopped and even had a sharp downturn. Many Surinamese left their country and settled in the Netherlands to build a new future. Whit this most of the management had left Suriname and the exploitation of sugar, coffee, banana and other plantations came to a halt the decline was a fact.
The coup of 1980 did not turned the economy in a positive way the opposite happened the economy declined more. After the democracy was restored in Surinam the economy flourished, only in a South American way very slowly. Till today power and finances are still in the hands of a small group who will not let go and defended their position with all means at their exposal. Corruption is still present in Surinam there is saying in Surinam that goes like this “it is not who you are bud who you know”.
Despite the slow recovery of the economy there is progress and the government is working hard to get rid of drugs traffic and laundry off money. In terms of natural resources Suriname is among the top 17 countries in the world, it has a great potential but is still waiting for the realization and developing of it.
Political factors
Politic in Surinam is not transparent during a election there is more discussion about candidates then a political program therefore it is hard to find a real political vision. Personal interest are in some cases more important than land interest. For instant claiming pieces of land by the politicians is something that happens.
Reducing poverty in Suriname is not really a big issue, the poor become poorer and the rich richer. The president of Suriname is elected for a period of five years and can remain in office for two terms.
The government is seated in the main capitol Paramaribo, the parliaments are seated in the National Assembly, the ruling party must have a majority. At the head of a district there is a captain. The boundary between land policy and district policy is not always clear, in Surinam it is possible that a minister is dealing with a problem like street vendors, this should be the responsibility of the district captain.
At this moment despite many setbacks the political system in Surinam is stable and the government is working hard to improve it. Surinam is highly depending on so-called donor countries, with various grants and financed projects they are helping to stimulate the economy of Surinam.