Overview
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America that is also often considered part of the Caribbean and the West Indies. Situated just north of the equator, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west. Suriname is the smallest country in South America by both population and land area, with around 612,985 inhabitants (as of 2021) spread across approximately 165,940 square kilometers.
Geography and Environment
Suriname is renowned for its extraordinary forest cover, with over 90% of its territory blanketed by rainforest—the second-highest proportion of forest cover of any country in the world. This vast, largely untouched wilderness supports remarkable biodiversity, including jaguars, giant river otters, sloths, and a wide array of tropical birds. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects a significant portion of this pristine rainforest and its ecosystems.
The country's low population density and limited infrastructure outside the coastal region mean that much of the interior remains sparsely inhabited, giving Suriname one of the most intact tropical forest landscapes on Earth.
Capital and Population
The capital and largest city of Suriname is Paramaribo, which is home to roughly half of the country's entire population. Located along the Suriname River near the Atlantic coast, Paramaribo serves as the nation's political, economic, and cultural center. Its historic inner city, featuring a distinctive blend of Dutch colonial architecture and local building traditions, is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
Suriname's history is shaped by its long period as a Dutch colony, during which