Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages
Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Exports
alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
External Debt
$504,300,000 $
$4,699,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007), 2.745 (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003) note: in January 2004, the government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.600%
3.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
2
Location
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Area
163,820 km sq
2,381,741 km sq
Coastline
386 km
998 km
Climate
tropical; moderated by trade winds
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
