Facts about Suriname
Official languages: Dutch, English, Javanese
Capital: Paramaribo
Area: 163,270 km²
Population: 492,829 residents
Population density: 3.02 residents per km²
Currency: SRD
Internet TLD: .sr
ISO codes: SR, SUR, 740
Die The dialing code for Suriname is +597
Flag of Suriname
The flag of Suriname, which was adopted in 1975, is composed of five horizontal stripes from the top in green, white, red, white and green. A yellow five-pointed star is placed in the center of the red field. In the past, Suriname was under British and Dutch rule, and the country broke free from Dutch rule in 1975. Suriname is a very multicultural country, which is due to a large amount of emigration and immigration. This fact is referred to by the yellow star, which marks the unity of all these groups. The green color on the flag represents the fertility of the local landscape, possibilities and hope for a new and better Suriname, the white color symbolizes justice and freedom, and the red represents love.
Suriname is located in South America on the Atlantic Ocean. See Suriname Location on World Map. The country probably owes its name to the Surinian tribe, who were driven out of this area by the Arawaks. After almost 300 years as a Dutch colony, Suriname gained independence in 1975, but the Netherlands remains the most important donor. Approx. a third of the Surinamans now live in the former mother country.
Biggest Cities of Suriname by Population
The largest city in Suriname is the capital, Paramaribo. Located on the banks of the Suriname River, Paramaribo has a population of around 250,000 people and is known for its diverse cultural heritage. The city is home to many different ethnic groups including East Indians, Creoles, Javanese, Chinese and Europeans. This mix of cultures can be seen in the architecture of Paramaribo’s old town which features Dutch colonial buildings alongside Hindu temples and Chinese pagodas. The city also boasts a number of interesting attractions such as Fort Zeelandia which was originally built by Dutch colonists in 1640 and now serves as a museum; Independence Square with its beautiful gardens and monuments; Saint Peter’s Church with its impressive stained glass windows; and Waterkant Street where you can find some great restaurants serving traditional dishes like roti (flatbread) or pom (papaya stew).
The second largest city in Suriname is Nieuw Nickerie with a population of around 40,000 people. Located on the banks of the Corantijn River near the border with Guyana, Nieuw Nickerie is an important commercial center for nearby villages. Visitors to Nieuw Nickerie can explore interesting sites such as Fort Nieuw Amsterdam which was built in 1734 by Dutch colonists and now serves as a museum; Marienburg Plantation House which was once owned by wealthy Dutch families but now serves as an educational center; and Zorg en Hoop Airport which offers flights to other cities within Suriname. Additionally there are several markets selling local goods like fresh produce, textiles and handicrafts alongside great restaurants serving traditional dishes like moksi alesi (rice cooked with meat) or pomtajer (stewed pumpkin).
The third largest city in Suriname is Albina located near the border with French Guiana with a population around 10 thousand people. Albina has long been an important trading post due to its location at the mouth of Marowijne River where it meets Atlantic Ocean. The town features some interesting attractions such as Fort New Amsterdam which was originally built by Dutch colonists in 1690 but now serves as a museum; Albina Slave Monument dedicated to slaves who were brought from Africa to work on plantations during colonial times; and La Rochelle Plantation House which showcases traditional architecture from 19th century French Guiana. Additionally there are several markets selling local goods like fresh fish caught from nearby rivers alongside great restaurants serving traditional dishes like akra (fried plantains) or lontro soup (vegetable soup).
| # | City | Population | Latitude | Longitude |
| 1 | Paramaribo, Suriname | 223,868 | 5.86638 | -55.1668 |
| 2 | Lelydorp, Suriname | 18,334 | 5.7 | -55.2333 |
| 3 | Brokopondo, Suriname | 14,773 | 5.05594 | -54.9804 |
| 4 | Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname | 13,254 | 5.92606 | -56.973 |
| 5 | Moengo, Suriname | 7,185 | 5.61411 | -54.4012 |
| 6 | Nieuw Amsterdam, Suriname | 5,046 | 5.88573 | -55.0887 |
| 7 | Albina, Suriname | 4,096 | 5.49788 | -54.0552 |
| 8 | Groningen, Suriname | 3,327 | 5.8 | -55.4667 |
| 9 | Onverwacht, Suriname | 2,216 | 5.58983 | -55.1946 |
| 10 | Totness, Suriname | 1,796 | 5.87618 | -56.3257 |
Suriname: Paramaribo
According to Abbreviation Finder, the capital of Suriname is Paramaribo. Of the 544,000 inhabitants of Suriname, 240,000 live in Paramaribo – almost half of all inhabitants! Paramaribo is on the Atlantic Ocean and at the mouth of the Suriname River on its left bank. The city is also called Par’bo for short. In Paramaribo there is a mosque, a synagogue and a Hindu temple. The Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul is one of the largest wooden churches in the world.