Suriname
Small, Little Known Former Dutch Colony in a Corner of the Continent
Suriname is one of the least known countries on the continent, but there's more than coconuts to this former Dutch Colony.
Suriname. Few know much about it or even know where it is at. To fill you in, it is located in the North-eastern corner of South America
Formerly Dutch Guiana, the country is sandwiched between Guyana and French Guyana. It was acquired by the Dutch during the 1667 Peace of Breda Treaty which granted the land to the Dutch, and also New York to the British. Proud locals joke that the dutch got the better of the deal.
The total population is just around 450,000. A large influx of traders, slaves, settlers, laborers, and others from all areas of the world including Holland, Britain, Pakistan, Israel, Java, China, West Africa, and elsewhere have made the population one of the most diverse on the continent. also, the country is free of racial discrimination and tension.
It's mostly a rainforest country and eco-tourism is helping push the economy to new limits. Much of the population lives in mud flats on the coast, however, the ameri-Indian tribes scattered throughout the unspoiled forests are slowly being discovered.
Bird and wildlife watching is a fast growing sport, with the country having a diverse wildlife population that spills over from neighboring Brazil and the Guyanas and a secure National Park system. Black Caimans, peccaries, howler monkeys, and other animal sightings deep in the bush. Several jungle lodges have set up throughout Suriname's wildnerness, although accesibility is an issue as the most relaible form of transport is by river or small plane. Only a single road plies the interior.
For more information visit: www.surinametourism.com
