Bounded east and west by rivers, Suriname sits on the north coast of South America in the center of the "Guyana Plateau." The interior is rainforested highlands; most people live near the coast. In 1975, after almost 300 years of Dutch rule, Suriname became independent. The Netherlands is still its main aid supplier, and is home to one-third of Surinamese. Multiparty democracy was restored in 1991, after almost 11 years of military rule.

About 250,000 Surinamese have emigrated since 1975. Of those who remain, 90% live near the coast, while the rest live in scattered rainforest communities. Tension between the Creole-dominated government, bosnegers (the descendants of runaway slaves), and Amerindians spilled over into armed rebellion in the 1980s. Many South Asians and Javanese work in farming. Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam are the dominant religions.

Strengths

Bauxite. Gold. Timber potential. Oil. Agricultural exports: rice, bananas, citrus fruits. Shrimp exports.

Weaknesses

Overdependence on declining bauxite reserves and decreased foreign aid. Weak currency. Severe shortage of foreign exchange. Banana industry damaged by ending of preferential EU access. Net food importer.

A coalition government representing Creoles, South Asians, and Javanese took power under Ronald Venetiaan in 1991. Five years later it was defeated by the NDP, controlled by Desi Bouterse, the military dictator from 1980 to 1988 and the man behind the 1990 coup which ended Suriname's first attempt to return to democracy. Between 1996 and 2000 President Jules Wijdenbosch of the NDP withstood the efforts of opponents in the National Assembly to replace him. In the 2000 legislative elections, however, the NDP was massively defeated by the opposition NF. The new Assembly went on to elect NF leader Venetiaan as president.

Suriname is a major exporter of aluminum and bauxite, but the minerals sector is affected by poor world prices, as is raw gold production. Oil consumption is almost double the level of oil production. Exploitation of the rainforests has begun. Rice and fruit are Suriname's key agricultural products.

Urban medical facilities are relatively good; Paramaribo has several hospitals. Provision in the interior is basic.

Education is free and includes adult literacy programs. There is a long tradition of higher education, but most graduates now live in the Netherlands.

Living standards have fallen since 1982, due to the effects of civil war and to aid and loan suspension. Urban Creoles dominate the rich elite. Amerindians and bosnegers are the poorest groups.

Dutch rule began in 1667, after an Anglo-Dutch treaty whose terms included Britain ceding its colony in Suriname to the Dutch but gaining Nieuw Amsterdam (later New York).

• 1975 Independence.
• 1980 Coup. Rule by Lt. Col. Desi Bouterse.
• 1982 Opponents executed. Dutch suspend aid for six years.
• 1986–1992 Bosneger rebel war.
• 1988–1991 Elections, coup, and new elections. Ronald Venetiaan elected president.
• 1992 Bouterse quits as army head.
• 1996 Pro-Bouterse NDP wins elections.
• 2000 Opposition NF defeats NDP. Venetiaan elected president again.