Looking to boost your knowledge of South America and increase your chances of taking the glory at the next pub quiz? Take a look at these fun facts about Suriname!
1. Where on Earth is Suriname?
Suriname is a small country in South America.
It is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west. It also has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the north.
2. Here are the compass coordinates.
Fancy exploring this beautiful country? Head for the coordinates of 5.8333° N, 55.1667° W to embark on your very own Surinamese adventure!
3. It’s a very hilly region.
The terrain here is dominated by rolling hills, with a narrow coastal plain to the north.
4. It’s overrun with forestry.
Roughly 80% of this wonderful country is covered in rainforest!
5. It’s absolutely tiny.
The total land area of Suriname is 63,037 square miles (163,265 square kilometres)…that’s slightly larger than half the size of the UK. That makes it the smallest country in South America!
6. And the population reflects this!
Suriname’s population was 618,040 in 2022…that’s around 1/100th of the UK population!
7. What are people here known as?
Residents here are known as Surinamese.
8. What’s the capital of Suriname?
The capital is Paramaribo; it covers an area of 70 square miles (182 square kilometres) and had a population of 234,000 in 2014.
9. There are two main seasons here.
Surinamese enjoy a tropical climate that is moderated by trade winds, with a rainy season from April to August.
10. Suriname and Holland have history.
Despite its location, the official language of Suriname is actually Dutch! Although English is also widely spoken. In fact, Suriname was under Dutch rule until 1975!
11. Check the pennies!
Surinamese Dollar is the official currency here.
12. Life expectancy here is pretty healthy.
The average life span of a Surinamese is 70.27 years (2021).
13. Better keep on their good sides!
Allegedly, anyone under the age of 30 who wishes to get married in Suriname can only do so with written permission from their parents!
14. Here’s some facts about Suriname’s industry.
Suriname grows rice, bananas, and palm kernels; they also rear cattle, catch fish and produce lumber.
Its industry consists of bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, food processing, and oil.
The main exports consist of crude oil, alumina, rice, lumber, fish, and shrimp.
FAQs about Suriname
Is Suriname safe to travel to?
On the whole, Suriname is very safe for travellers, however, always try to keep safe as you normally might when traveling abroad!
Is Suriname cheap to live in?
On the whole, Suriname is very cheap to live in - it’s around 70% cheaper to live here than in the US.
What is Suriname’s main religion?
The main religion followed in Suriname is Christianity.
Do you know any fun facts about Suriname? Share them in the comments below!
