Coat of Arms
|
 |
|
Orientation
|
Suriname: borders
North: Atlantic Ocean
West: New Nickerie, Corantijn River, Guyana (former British Guyana)
East: Albina, Marowijne River, French Guyana (part of France and Europe)
South: Dense tropical Rain Forest, Brazil
Air: The Netherlands
Suriname does not have roads to neighbouring countries and is quite isolated from the rest of South America. The official language is Dutch and the people have different ethnic backgrounds which makes Suriname an unusual but unique enclave. There are nearly daily flights to the Netherlands and for most Surinamese the Netherlands is closer to home then Brazil or Venezuela.
Districts
Suriname is divided in 10 districts. The smallest but important central district is Paramaribo. Most people of Suriname live in this area. The districts along the cost are connected by a road which is called “Oost-West Verbinding” (East-West Connection). The part of the road from Paramaribo to Nickerie is asphalted; the road to Marowijne (Albina) is not.
West: Saramacca, Coronie, Nickerie
Eeast: Commewijne (plantation area), Marowijne
South: Wanica, Para, Brokopondo and Sipaliwini
Sipaliwini borders Brazil and consist mainly of tropical rainforest. It is as big as 80% of the country.
Because Suriname is such a big country and Paramaribo is also stretched out, people often refer to districts, plantations, villages, resorts, neighbourhoods and projects (housing projects) when talking about locations or addresses. Especially when you will stay in Suriname longer or when you will visit Suriname more then once, it might be an idea to get used to some of the geographical names.
Printed maps
In Surinamese bookstores a detailed “Road Map of Paramaribo” is available. This map is for example sold at the
bookstore in the Hermitage Mall. For tourist a handy plastified map of Suriname is sold in bookstores and travel agencies. This map is also available in ANWB offices in the Netherlands.
|
|
|
