Country name
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

Government type republic

National 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: President Jules WIJDENBOSCH (since 14 September 1996); Vice PresidentPretaapnarian RADHAKISHUN (since 14 September 1996); note - the presidentis both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jules WIJDENBOSCH (since 14 September 1996); Vice PresidentPretaapnarian RADHAKISHUN (since 14 September 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet : Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the membersof the National Assembly
note: Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power
elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-yearterms; election last held 23 May 1996; runoff election held 5 September 1996(next to be held NA May 2001)
election results: Jules WIJDENBOSCH elected president; percent of legislative vote NA;National Assembly failed to elect president; results reflect the People's Assembly votes - Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 438, Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 407

Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (51 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections : last held 23 May 1996 (next to be held NA May 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 16, NF 14, BVD 5,KTPI 5, DA'91 4, Pendawa Lima 4, Alliance 3

Judicial branch Supreme Court, justices nominated for life

Political parties and leaders The New Front (NF), a coalition of three parties (NPS, VHP, SPA), leaderRonald R. VENETIAAN; Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; NationalParty of Suriname (NPS), Ronald VENETIAAN; Party of National Unity and Solidarity(KTPI), Willy SOEMITA; Suriname Labor Party (SPA), Fred DERBY; DemocraticAlternative '91 (DA '91), a coalition of two parties (AF, and BEP) formedin January 1991, Winston JESSURUN; Alternative Forum (AF), Rick VAN RAVENSWAY;Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Caprino ALLENDY; PendawaLima, Paul SOMOHARDJO; National Democratic Party (NDP), Desire BOUTERSE; ProgressiveWorkers' and Farm Laborers' Union (PALU), Ir Iwan KROLIS; The ProgressiveDevelopment Alliance, a combination of three parties (DP, HPP, PVF), FrankPLAYFAIR; Democratic Party (DP), Frank PLAYFAIR; Reformed Progressive Party(HPP), Harry KISOENSINGH; Party of the Federation of Land Workers PVF), JwanSITAL; Party for Renewal and Democracy (BVD), Atta MUNGRA; Independent ProgressiveDemocratic Alternative (OPDA), Joginder RAMKHILAWAN

Political pressure groups and leaders Union for Liberation and Democracy, Kofi AFONGPONG; Mandela BushnegroLiberation Movement, Leendert ADAMS; Tucayana Amazonica, Alex JUBITANA, ThomasSABAJO; General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP), George TIRINI

International organization participation ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD,IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU,LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Cicyl G. ALWART
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

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis K. HAYS
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 description five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruplewidth), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointedstar centered in the red band

NOTE: The information regarding Suriname on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Suriname Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Suriname Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.