Global - Technology - Review

The South American nation of Suriname is one of the smallest on the continent and the only one to be Dutch-speaking. Most of the population live on the coast near the capital, Paramaribo. The rest of the country consists of rain forest and savannah, and there are two low mountain ranges. Boundary disputes with neighbouring countries date back to colonial times. Since independence from the Netherlands there has been a civil war and political instability continues. The country has a tropical climate with rainy seasons. Exports include bananas, bauxite and oil. Power for the bauxite industry is provided by hydroelectric power from the huge Brokopondo Reservoir. Ecotourism to the unspoilt rain forests of the interior is being developed; the Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a World Heritage site. The country is ethnically diverse, with sizeable Indian and Javanese minorities. There is also a large Surinamese community in the Netherlands. Paramaribo is situated on the Suriname River. St Peter and Paul Cathedral is South America’s largest wooden structure, built of local cedar. In recent years it has fallen victim to attack by termites, however restoration is now complete. Paramaribo’s mosque and synagogue are famous for sharing a car park.