Suriname

Field Office Information

C&MA Field Entry in 1979

Field Director:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1428
Paramaribo, SURINAME

Phone:

011-597-471-256

Email:

wendelt@cmalliance.org

Website:

National Church

2 organized churches, 3 unorganized groups, 3 ordained ministers, 286 baptized members, and 466 inclusive members

Team Initiatives

• N/A

Demographics

Population

Population--438,144 Infant mortality rate--23.6/1,000 Life expectancy--69

Capital City

Paramaribo (217,300) pop.

Geography

Slightly larger than Georgia, Suriname (63,039 sq. mi.) consists of flat coastal lands and hilly forests inland.

Languages

Dutch (official), Surinamese, English, Hindustani, Javanese

Ethnicity/Race

East Indian (Hindustani)--37%; Creole--31%; Javanese--15%; Maroon--10%; Amerindian--2%; Chinese--2%; European--1%; other--2%

Economy

Per capita income--$4,300 Inflation--23% Unemployment--17% Literacy rate--93% (1995 est.)

Government/Political Climate

Constitutional democracy. Paraguay gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975. The civilian government was replaced in 1980 by a military regime that declared a socialist republic. In 1987, international pressure forced a democratic election. The military overthrew the civilian government in 1989, but a democratically elected government returned to power in 1991.

Religion

Hindu--27.4%; Protestant (primarly Moravian)--25.2%; Roman Catholic--22.8%; Muslim--19.6%; indigenous--5%