Tim Van Hosen, age 13, of Laconia, N. H., for his question:
WHERE IS SURINAM?
Surinam is a republic in the northeastern part of South America. It is bounded on the south by Brazil, on the east by French Guiana, on the west by Guyana and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. With an area of 63,037 square miles, the country is a bit smaller than the state of Washington.
Surinam's name was formerly Dutch Guiana.
The mining and processing of bauxite into aluminum is the base of Surinam's economy. Additional industries include lumbering and plywood manufacturing and the manufacture of molasses.
Before the Europeans came to the area, what is now Surinam was inhabited by tribes of Arawak, Carib and Warrau Indians. The Dutch and English were the first traders in the region. The English began to colonize the area during the first half of the 17th century and then in 1667 they ceded their part of Surinam to the Netherlands in exchange for New Amsterdam, which later became New York City.
Surinam became an integral part of the Netherlands in 1922 but a new constitution in 1954 elevated its status to that of a co equal member of the kingdom. Then on November 25, 1975, Surinam was granted its independence by the Dutch Parliament.
When Surinam was granted its independence, some 40,000 people chose to remain Dutch citizens and immigrated to the Netherlands.
The climate in Surinam is tropical with annual temperatures between 73 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. More than 80 inches of rain falls each year in the coastal areas, diminishing to about 60 inches in inland areas. Rainfall is heaviest from December to April when floods often occur in many sections of the country.
The main ethnic groups are Asian Indians (Hindus), who make up about 38 percent of the population and Creoles, a people of mixed African and Amerindian descent, who make up 32 percent.
In Surinam there are sizable communities of Indonesians who make up about 15 percent of the country's population. Bush blacks, descendants of slaves who escaped long ago and moved to the interior, make up about 10 percent of the population. Europeans and Chinese make up the balance of the population.
The country's official language is Dutch. Most people also speak Sranang Tongo (Taki Taki), a local language that includes elements of several other languages.
The main religions are Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
Surinam's population is about 350,000, with about 70,000 living in Paramaribo, the country's capital, largest city and chief seaport.
About 100,000 students are enrolled annually in elementary and secondary schools.