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  • Title: Suriname.
    Author: United States. Department of State. Bureau of Public Affairs.
    Journal: Backgr Notes Ser; 1984 Oct; ():1-7. PubMed ID: 12178093.
    Abstract:
    A summary description of Suriname's population, geography, history, government, economy, and foreign relations is provided. Suriname, a tropical country, situated on the northern coast of South America, consists of a coastal zone, a central forested region, and a sparsely populated southern savanna zone. Most of the country's approximately 400,000 inhabitants live in the coastal zone, which contains most of the country's agricultural land. The population is ethnically diverse and is 37% Hindustani, 31% Creole, 15.3% Javanese, 10.3% Bush Negro, 2.7% Amerindian, 2.7% Chinese, and 1% European. European settlement began in 1651. Between 1667-1815 the country was rule alternately by the Netherlands and Great Britian. In 1975 Suriname obtained independence from the Netherlands and was governed as a parliamentary democracy between 1975-80. In 1980 the government was overthrown by a military coup, and the constitution was suspended. Although there have been several changes in government structure and leadership since 1980, the country continues to be ruled by military decree. In 1984 a Supreme Council, composed of representives of the military, labor federations, and business organizations and chaired by the army commander, Desire D. Bouterse, was established. Although ultimate authority resides in the commander and in the military, there is also a Council of Ministers, composed of labor and business leaders and headed by the Minister-President, L.F. Ramdat-Misier. The government exerts considerable control over the news media. During the colonial era, a plantation economy, based on the production of cocoa, coffee, sugar, and cotton, was established. The system was supported first by African slave labor, and then by Asian contract agricultural laborers. Suriname's current economy is based largely on the mining, processing and exporting of bauxite. The bauxite industry is dominated by the Suriname Aluminum Company, a subsidiary of the Aluminum Company of America, and by the Royal Dutch Billiton Company, a Shell owned enterprise. Although Suriname continues to have a predominantly free market economy, state control increased since 1980. Before 1980 Suriname's balance of payment position was strong, but following the military takeover, the country's international financial situation deteriorated. An increase in the bauxite levy decreased export earnings, and in 1982 the Netherlands withdrew development assistance from Suriname in order to protest the government's use of repressive measures to quell political unrest. The US also withdrew military and financial assistance in 1982. In 1982, exports totaled US$336 million and imports totaled US$449 million. In 1983, the gross domestic product (GDP) was US$1062 million, and the per capita GDP was US$2820. 29% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, 15% in industry and commerce, and 42% in government. The literacy rate is 65%, life expectancy is 68 years, and the infant mortality rate is 23/1000. The current government follows a nonalignment policy and maintains relationships with both communist and capitalist countries. A map and the names of Suriname's principal government officials and of US diplomats in Suriname are provided.
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