Suriname is situated on the north coast of the South American continent, between 2° and 6° northern latitude and 54° and 58° western longitude and shares borders with Guyana, Brazil and French Guyana. The population is of diverse origin and consists of Indigenous, East Indian, Javanese, Creole, Maroons and others. About two-thirds of the population is concentrated in the capital city Paramaribo, with most of the remainder living along the coastal strip. Most of Suriname’s land surface consists of dense tropical forest, filled with exotic flora and fauna. Suriname has committed itself to preserve the unspoiled rainforest with the establishment of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Average temperature is between 25-34° C.

Administration: Suriname, a former colony of The Netherlands, acquired independence on November 25, 1975. For five years Suriname was a Democratic Republic with a Parliament as law-making body. On February 25, 1980, the military took over. In 1984, a National Assembly was institutionalized as law-making body. The 51 members of the National Assembly are chosen for five years.