Suriname (capital Paramaribo) is situated on the northern coast of South
                        America.  North of Suriname we find the Atlantic Ocean. The neighbouring
                        countries are the republic of Guyana to the west, French Guyana to the east and
                        Brasil in the South.  Suriname covers an area of approximately 160,000 square
                        kilometers.
                        

                        Suriname is a former Dutch colony and gained its
                        independence on the 25-th of November 1975. After a
                        period of political instability Suriname is now a democratic
                        constitutional republic.

                        The population roughly numbers 400,000 people of many
                        different backgrounds and races. The original inhabitants
                        are the Amerindians.
                        Other races are descendants of people who came to
                        Suriname from Africa, India, China, and the
                        Indonesian island of Java. Some of them came as
                        slaves or as contract labourers.  There are also descendants
                        of Dutch colonists and Portuguese Jews.

                        The main language still is the Dutch language. Other
                        important languages are Sranang Tongo,
                        Sarnami Hindi, and Javanese. The main religions are
                        Christianity and Islam. Judaism and naturalistic
                        religions (paganism and shamanism) are also
                        practiced. In spite of the many different races and religions,
                        people get along quite well and live harmoniously together.

                        The economy of Suriname is mainly an import-based
                        economy. Efforts have been made to strengthen our income
                        base. Sources of income include mining, agriculture, and eco-tourism. The mining
                        industry is mainly focused on the export of alumina and rough aluminum and the
                        exploitation of gold deposits. The agriculture industry includes the export of
                        bananas and rice, the growing of exotic flowers and plants, and aquaculture. In
                        recent years Suriname has come  forth as an eco-tourist destination of the highest
  standards. Some alluring points are the
  Brownsberg nature reserve and the Galibi
  Beach nature reserve where the endangered
  sea turtle can be observed in its natural
  surroundings. Tourists can stay either in one
  of the luxury hotels in Paramaribo or in one
  of the many comfortable tourist areas in the
  interior.