Surinamebrug Paramaribo. Photograph © by Gert Lemmen

Suriname is a country in northern South America. Other common names are Surinam or Sranang. The country was formerly known as Nederlands Guyana, Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana and lies in between French Guiana to the east and Guyana to the west. The southern border is shared with Brazil and the Atlantic coast is to the north. The most southerly borders with Guyana and French Guiana are disputed.

Suriname is the least-populated independent country in South America. It is also in area the smallest nation on the continent.

Suriname became independent from the Netherlands in 1975, prior to which it was a colony of the Netherlands. The population of the country is less than 500 000, most of who live in the capital city Paramaribo. The population is of mixed ancestry including indigenious natives, European, African, Indian, Chinese and Libians plus many others.

Dutch is the official language, although several other languages are spoken including English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. A unique Suriname language known as Sranang Tongo has evolved which is influenced by many of the other languages spoken within the country.