Chapter 99
Telephone system: large, well-equipped system by African standards, but barely adequate and poorly maintained by modern standards domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 6.67 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 2.06 million (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Force Militia
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 7,152,884 males fit for military service: 4,399,445 males reach military age (18) annually: 329,460 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
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@Suriname --------
Map ---
Location: 4 00 N, 56 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Flag ----
Description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
Geography ---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W
Map references: South America
Area: total area: 163,270 sq km land area: 161,470 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries: total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa Rivier); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Wilhelmina Gebergte 1,286 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold
Land use: arable land: NEGL% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 97% other: 3%
Irrigated land: 590 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: deforestation as foreign producers obtain timber concessions natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna which for the most part is not threatened because of the lack of development; relatively small population most of which lives along the coast
People ------
Population: 436,418 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 74,959; female 71,500) 15-64 years: 62% (male 136,287; female 132,407) 65 years and over: 4% (male 9,930; female 11,335) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.6% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.04 years male: 67.51 years female: 72.7 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese
Ethnic divisions: Hindustani (also known locally as "East" Indians; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed European and African ancestry) 31%, Javanese 15.3%, "Bush Black" (also known as "Bush Creole" whose ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves) 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1%, other 1.1%
Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
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), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 93% male: 95.1% female: 91%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Data code: NS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Paramaribo
Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Ronald R. VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991) and Prime Minister Jules R. AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991), who is also the vice president, were elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly; election last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly note: Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 10, DA '91 9, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices nominated for life
Political parties and leaders: The New Front (NF), a coalition of four parties (NPS, VHP, KTPI, SPA), leader Ronald R. VENETIAAN; Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Ronald VENETIAAN; Party of National Unity and Solidarity (KTPI), Willy SOEMITA; Suriname Labor Party (SPA), Fred DERBY; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), a coalition of two parties (AF, and BEP) formed in January 1991, Winston JESSURUN; Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY; Pendawa Lima, Marsha JAMIN; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire BOUTERSE; Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir Iwan KROLIS; The Alliance, a combination of three parties (DP, HPP, PVF), Ernie BRUNINGS; Democratic Party (DP), Ernie BRUNINGS; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Harry KISOENSINGH; Party of the Federation of Land Workers PVF), Jwan SITAL
Other political or pressure groups: Surinamese Liberation Army (SLA), Ronnie BRUNSWIJK, Johan "Castro" WALLY; Union for Liberation and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica, Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT chancery: Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488, 7490 through 7492 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Roger R. GAMBLE embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: P. O. Box 1821, American Embassy Paramaribo, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900, 477881, 476459 FAX: [597] 420800
Flag: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band
Economy -------
Economic overview: The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for upwards of 15% of GDP and more than 65% of export earnings. Following a dismal year in 1994 which saw the value of the Surinamese currency plummet by about 80%, inflation rise to more than 600%, and national output fall for the fifth consecutive year, nearly all economic indicators improved in 1995. The VENETIAAN government unified the exchange rate and the currency gained some of its lost value. In addition, inflation fell to double digits and tax revenues increased sufficiently to nearly erase the budget deficit. The release of substantial development aid from the Netherlands - which had been held up due to the government's failure to initiate economic reforms - also helped buoy the economy. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued implementation of needed economic restructuring; the outcome of the national elections in May 1996 will be an important factor in determining future government policy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,950 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 21.6% industry: 23.7% services: 54.7% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 62% (1995)
Labor force: 98,240 by occupation: agriculture, industry, services
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $300 million expenditures: $700 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1994 est.)
Industries: bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 420,000 kW production: 1.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chicken; forest products and shrimp of increasing importance
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
Exports: $293.6 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: alumina, aluminum, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 26%, US 13%, Japan 6%, Brazil 6%, UK 3% (1992)
Imports: $194.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods partners: US 42%, Netherlands 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Brazil 5% (1992)
External debt: $180 million (March 1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - central bank midpoint rate: 402.32 (December 1995), 442.23 (1995), 134.12 (1994); parallel rate: 412 (December 1995), 510 (December 1994), 109 (January 1994) note: beginning July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate was unified and became market determined
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 166 km (single track) standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 86 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 4,470 km paved: 1,162 km unpaved: 3,308 km (1990)
Waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways
Ports: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,421 GRT/2,990 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 38 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 31 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 43,522 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international facilities good domestic: microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 1
Radios: 290,256 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 59,598 (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 119,010 males fit for military service: 70,400 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
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@Svalbard --------
(territory of Norway)
Map ---
Location: 78 00 N, 20 00 E -- Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Flag ----
Description: the flag of Norway is used
Geography ---------
Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway
Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total area: 62,049 sq km land area: 62,049 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,587 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway and Russia
Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year
Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coasts lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: ice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic international agreements: NA
Geographic note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area
People ------
Population: 2,715 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -4.01% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Ethnic divisions: Russian and Ukrainian 62%, Norwegian 38%, other NEGL% (1994)
Languages: Russian, Norwegian
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard
Data code: SV
Type of government: territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway
Capital: Longyearbyen
Independence: none (territory of Norway)
National holiday: NA
Legal system: NA
Executive branch: Chief of State: King HARALD V (of Norway since 17 January 1991) is a hereditary monarch Head of Government: Governor Ann-Krisitin OLSEN (since NA) and Assistant Governor Jan-Atle HANSEN (since NA September 1993) are responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice note: Norwegian inhabitants participate in Norwegian national elections
International organization participation: none
Flag: the flag of Norway is used
Economy -------
Economic overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9 February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus.
Labor force: NA
Budget: revenues: $11.6 million expenditures: $11.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 21,000 kW production: 45 million kWh consumption per capita: 13,860 kWh (1992)
Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.4160 (January 1996), 6.3352 (1995), 7.0576 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992), 6.4829 (1991)
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 4 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: local telephone service international: satellite earth station - 1 of NA type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 2), shortwave 0 note: there are five meteorological/radio stations
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
Defense -------
Defense note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
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@Swaziland ---------
Map ---
Location: 26 30 S, 31 30 E -- Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Flag ----
Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Geography ---------
Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 17,360 sq km land area: 17,200 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: NEGL meadows and pastures: 62% forest and woodland: 7% other: 20%
Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment: current issues: limited access to potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
People ------
Population: 998,730 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 227,634; female 229,129) 15-64 years: 52% (male 247,156; female 271,096) 65 years and over: 2% (male 9,864; female 13,851) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 88.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.26 years male: 53.25 years female: 61.4 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.05 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swazi(s) adjective: Swazi
Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3%
Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%
Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 76.7% male: 78% female: 75.6%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland conventional short form: Swaziland
Data code: WZ
Type of government: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
Capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been formally presented to the people
Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA; note - no suffrage before September 1993; 55 of the 65 seats in the House of Assembly were filled by popular vote in the elections of September and October 1993; of a population of less than 1 million, the electorate numbered 283,693
Executive branch: chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) is a hereditary monarch head of government: Prime Minister Prince Jameson Mbilini DLAMINI (since 12 November 1993); appointed by the king cabinet: Cabinet; designated by the king