21 May 2013 Last updated at 10:16 ET

Suriname profile

Maroon children in Suriname Maroons - descendants of run-away slaves of African origin - make up a sizeable part of the population
  • Full name: Republic of Suriname
  • Population: 534,000 (UN, 2012)
  • Capital: Paramaribo
  • Area: 163,265 sq km (63,037 sq miles)
  • Major languages: Dutch (official), English, Sranang Tongo, Hindi, Javanese
  • Major religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
  • Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: Suriname dollar
  • Main exports: Bauxite, alumina, aluminium, crude oil, timber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
  • GNI per capita: US $7,840 (World Bank, 2011)
  • Internet domain: .sr
  • International dialling code: +597

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