- Population: 500,000
- Capital City: Paramaribo
- Time difference: -3 hours GMT
- Official language: Dutch
- Recognised regional languages: Sranan Tongo, Hindi, English, Hindustani, Javanese, Hakka, Cantonese, Boni, Saramaccan, Paramakan, Ndyuka, Kwinti, Matawai, Cariban, Arawakan, Aluku, Kalina.
Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America. Situated on the Guiana Shield, the country can be divided into two main geographic regions.
The northern, lowland coastal area (roughly above the line Albina-Paranam-Wageningen) has been cultivated, and most of the population lives here.
The southern part consists of tropical rainforest and sparsely inhabited savanna along the border with Brazil, covering about 80% of Suriname's land surface.