Suriname — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Suriname: capital Paramaribo, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Suriname is in South America. Its capital is Paramaribo.

Climate

Tropical; moderated by trade winds; two wet seasons December to February and April to August

Mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps; mostly tropical rainforest in interior

Suriname is the only Dutch-speaking country in South America.

Suriname traded places with New York: the Dutch swapped New Amsterdam for Suriname with the English in 1667.

Over 90% of Suriname is covered in tropical rainforest, one of the highest percentages in the world.

1651: English settlers establish the first European colony

1667: Dutch acquire Suriname from England in exchange for New Amsterdam (New York)

1863: Slavery abolished; indentured laborers arrive from India, Indonesia, and China

1975: Suriname gains independence from the Netherlands

1986: Interior War (Jungle War) disrupts the country for several years