Suriname - Post Report

Preparation

The Move

Settling In

Suriname

Preface Last Updated: 4/12/2005 10:30 AM

Suriname, located on the northeast coast of South America, became independent from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. Although retaining much of its Dutch heritage in language, culture, and institutions, Suriname continues to strive to shape its identity in terms of the Caribbean and South American environments of which it is a part.

With its small population and economic development largely restricted to a narrow coastal band, the Government of Suriname has focused on reforming an economic structure badly distorted by years of poor economic policy. The Government receives assistance from a variety of sources, although the largest commitments are provided by the Netherlands and the E.U.

The Embassy is a Special Embassy Program (SEP) post with 17 direct-hire American positions. Despite its size, the Embassy performs most of the functions of a much larger post. Staff is provided with direct experience and cross training in most areas of Foreign Service work. All aspects of the post's work—political, economic, commercial, administrative, and consular—are intricate enough to both challenge experienced officers and provide excellent training for more junior personnel.

Paramaribo is a hardship post. It is an isolated city with limited opportunities for recreational activities. Difficulties are made more palatable by interaction with Surinamers, who are an outgoing and friendly people and make visitors feel at home.

The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate Last Updated: 4/12/2005 10:32 AM

Roughly the size and shape of the U.S. state of Georgia, Suriname lies on the northeast coast of South America, bordered by French Guiana in the east, Brazil in the south, and by Guyana in the west. Most of the country's 220-mile shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean consists of mud flats and mangrove swamp. Parts of Suriname's boundaries with French Guiana and Guyana are in dispute.

Suriname has a land area of 63,000 square miles (163,000 sq. km.). Most Surinamers, however, live in the 1,900-square-mile narrow coastal plain about 50 KM wide in and around the major population centers of Paramaribo (250,000), Moengo and Nieuw Nickerie (38,000).

Suriname's coastal area is mostly flat. Hills and low mountains reach a maximum height of about 4,000 feet (1,230 meters) in the heavily forested interior. Between these two zones lie the savanna lands, 30-40 miles wide. Large rivers and streams flow through Suriname from south to north, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Although they provide major transportation routes between the coast and the interior, the number of rivers has proved a historical hindrance to east-west land transportation.

Suriname's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo average 75°F to 90°F. Temperatures in the interior, not moderated by the steady coastal breezes, are generally higher. Outdoor activities such as golfing, tennis, and fishing, are pleasant, though less so between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is high.

Seasons are distinguished mainly by more or less rain, with annual rainfall averaging 87 inches. Indeed, locals will tell you that the four seasons of Suriname are: 1) Little Rainy Season (December to February); 2) Little Dry Season (March to April); 3) Big Rainy Season (May to August); and Big Dry Season (September to November). The hottest months of the year are September and October when temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C). Suriname lies outside hurricane and earthquake zones. Parts of Paramaribo experience heavy flooding, as rains sometimes exceed the city's poor drainage capabilities. Isolated flooding occurs on some city streets and in low-lying areas of Paramaribo for up to 24 hours at a time.

Suriname's climate promotes mildew and fungus growths that can affect clothing, furniture, and books if not countered by air-conditioning. Dust is an occasional problem in Paramaribo during the dry seasons. Air pollution is a moderate concern.

Outside Paramaribo, unpaved country roads into the interior can generate considerable dust from fine reddish soils (composed mainly of bauxite), which can be difficult to remove from tires or clothing of travelers.

Population Last Updated: 4/12/2005 10:50 AM

Suriname's population is approximately 480,000 (2005 census). Emigration to the Netherlands is estimated to have reduced the population by about one-third between 1972 and 1980, from a peak of more than 600,000. Since 1980, the population has been growing by less than 2% per year, although the birth rate has recently topped 3%.

The population is divided among a great diversity of ethnic groups: "Hindustani" (of East Indian descent) 37%; Creole 32%; Javanese 15%; Maroons 10%; Amerindian 3%; Chinese 2%; and European 1%.

The Hindustani and Javanese populations are descended from successive waves of contract farm laborers brought to Suriname in the second half of the 19th century. Hindustanis are predominantly Hindu, though they include a substantial Muslim minority. Although traditionally heavily engaged in agriculture, Hindustanis are becoming urbanized and thus increasingly active in business and commerce. Somewhat in contrast, the Javanese have retained their own language and remain primarily engaged in agriculture, fishing and some trade work.

Creoles, usually of mixed African, European, and other ethnic ancestry, are descendants of slaves emancipated in 1863. Creoles have filled the ranks of the civil service and have held many of the office jobs in Paramaribo.

Maroons are descendants of African slaves who escaped after they were brought to Suriname from Africa. These escapees had tremendous success in adapting to the rigors of living in the interior and managed not only to survive, but preserve their African culture and language. These unique cultures are now maintained in small villages situated along streams and rivers in the interior. Although Maroons still live in these communities, far removed from the coastal region, many are abandoning their traditional lifestyle to move to Paramaribo in search of education and job opportunities.

The Amerindians, descendants of the original pre-Columbian inhabitants, also live in tribal villages along interior streams and rivers. They are often shy, less open to the intrusion of travelers, and more desirous of privacy than the Maroons. Some small Amerindian tribes in Suriname have been discovered as recently as the late 20th century.

While the first Chinese arrived 150 years ago, there has been a recent influx. Many Chinese are active in business, running small shops and restaurants. They speak Chinese and some remain isolated in Chinese-language communities. Caucasians are mainly descended from Dutch farmers who came here in the 18th and 19th centuries, although some are descended from early Jewish, French, and German immigrants. There is a very small community of European expatriates, mostly from the Netherlands.

Approximately 300 Americans reside in Suriname. By far the largest group represented among these Americans are the Protestant missionaries, who spend some of their time in the interior.

Most of Suriname's ethnic groups have maintained their identities and customs, and some wear distinctive clothing. Almost all practice their own religions, and, except for urbanized city dwellers, associate with members of their group in exclusive or semi-exclusive social clubs and societies. The largest and oldest political parties are racially or ethnically oriented, although several of them have joined in multiethnic coalitions, which have made up the last two democratically elected governments.

The official language of Suriname is Dutch. Sranan Tongo (literally "Suriname tongue", also called "Surinamese")—a nontonal English-based Creole language—is, however, the most widely understood language in Suriname. Dutch is used in schools, by the Government, and in the law courts, newspapers, radio, and TV. English is nominally understood, however, but non-Dutch speaking officers find occasional language-related difficulties. Indeed, most educated Surinamese speak English, greatly facilitating relaxed social contacts between Americans and Surinamers. Many Surinamers speak three or even four languages: Sranan Tongo, Dutch, and English, and Hindi, Chinese, or Javanese.

Several positions at the U.S. Embassy have been designated Dutch-language essential, and those speaking Hindi, Urdu, Cantonese, or Javanese will also find their language skills much appreciated.

Freedom of religion enjoys complete legal protection in Suriname. Hindus comprise the largest religious group, but large numbers of Muslims, Roman Catholics, and Protestant denominations (primarily Moravians), as well as a small number of Jews and Baha’i are also present in Suriname. A significant number of Amerindians and Bush Negroes still follow traditional animistic religions, although most profess to be Christian, of either Catholic or Moravian persuasion.

Public Institutions Last Updated: 4/12/2005 10:52 AM

Suriname began life as an independent country with a popularly elected government. However, that government was overthrown by a military coup in February 1980. The sergeants who took power in 1980 were at first welcomed as reformers. Their gradual leftward drift, however, increasingly alienated the largely conservative, middle-class Surinamese majority, and the repressive methods they employed to maintain control eventually cost them most of their popular support.

The execution of 15 opposition leaders in December, 1982 led to the suspension of Dutch and American development aid. Combined with a decline in world market prices for bauxite and aluminum (Suriname's chief export commodities) and nationalist economic policies, this suspension led to a general economic downturn that soon reached a critical stage. When an insurgent group began a series of attacks on military and economic targets in the interior, the government gave in to international and domestic pressures and announced that a new constitution would be adopted and that national elections would be held. In 1988, the newly elected civilian government took office.

Under the new constitution, the 51-member directly elected National Assembly is the highest authority in Suriname. The President, chosen by the Assembly, is both head of government and head of state. The Vice President, also elected by the Assembly, is chairman of the Council of Ministers that, together with the President and Vice President, makes up the government. Like the Assembly members, the President and Vice President are elected for 5-year terms.

In December 1990, the military overthrew the civilian government a second time and installed an interim government. Once again the military and its puppet government bowed to international pressure, and new elections were held in May 1991. A new civilian coalition government, containing many of the same parties as the previous government, was elected and assumed office in September 1991.

In 1992, a peace agreement was signed between the government and the former insurgent groups. In 1996, a coalition headed by the National Democratic Party (NDP), whose chairman is former military strongman, Desi Bouterse, formed a new government. Jules Wijdenbosch of the NDP was elected President. However, street demonstrations in May 1999 led to President Wijdenbosch's decision to call for early elections in May 2000, which resulted in a four party coalition government under the leadership of Ronald Venetiaan coming to power. Elections are scheduled for May 25, 2005.

The judiciary is composed of a Court of Justice (Supreme Court) and lesser magistrate courts. All judges are appointed for life by the President on advice of the government. The judiciary is woefully understaffed.

Suriname's National Army is a regiment-sized organization with a primary mission to defend Suriname's borders and coastal waters and provide for the safety and security of the citizens and the country. The army includes, on paper, an air/maritime service, patrolling coastal and river areas, but most of its assets are not air or sea worthy.

Arts, Science, and Education Last Updated: 6/22/2005 11:29 AM

Few local cultural activities are available. Occasional Dutch-language plays are offered at the Suriname Cultural Center and Ons Erf Cultural Center (a Roman Catholic church related organization). Live theater is confined to a small number of companies that produce plays and skits in Dutch and Sranan Tongo. A music school offers instruction in a range of musical instruments. The Nola Hatherman Institute offers instruction in drawing,painting, and sculpture.

Ons Erf also maintains an arts and crafts center and sponsors activities for younger children.

Suriname's main ethnic groups—Hindustani, Creoles, and Javanese—have associations that occasionally sponsor cultural activities.

Suriname has an extensive educational system with free schooling compulsory until age 14. The Government and the Roman Catholic and Moravian Churches provide education for kindergarten through secondary school. As a rule, all instruction is in Dutch. The three exceptions to this rule are the International School of Suriname, administered by representatives of various American Protestant missions in Suriname, the Christian Liberty Academy, administered by the Caribbean Christian Ministries, and the AlphaMax Academy, a private nonsectarian school administered by the AlphaMax Foundation.

The adult literacy rate is approximately 95%. Teacher training institutes, secondary schools, and technical schools provide terminal degrees. Nurses and dental technicians are trained in conjunction with the medical faculty, but standards do not equal those found in the United States. The Anton de Kom University in Paramaribo has faculties of medicine, law, natural resources, and social and technical sciences. However, transfer of individual course credits to and from the U.S. is difficult, if not unlikely. Enrollment is very difficult for non-Dutch speaking persons as well. Many students still attend high schools and universities in the Netherlands, although a growing number study in U.S. universities.

The Government Language Center offers courses in Dutch, English, Spanish, and Sranan Tongo. Language courses are offered by the Alliance Francaise (French), the Venezuelan Cultural Center (Spanish), Brazilian Cultural Center (Portuguese), and the Indonesian Cultural Center (Javanese, Indonesian, and Arabic). In some cases, the student must speak Dutch to enroll in the language classes. The Indonesian Cultural Center and Indian Cultural Center give instruction in their native folk arts and dances.

Commerce and Industry Last Updated: 4/12/2005 10:58 AM

Suriname's primary production sectors are the bauxite sector, the gold sector and the crude oil sector. The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA Inc.) has been active in Suriname since 1916 through its subsidiary Suralco. Suralco operates in a joint venture with BHPBilliton Maatschappij Suriname, a subsidiary of the Australian BHPBilliton. Exports from the bauxite sector, which no longer includes aluminium, account for almost 70 percent of the country's total exports. Suralco has recently completed a 67 million USD expansion of its refinery and both companies are currently working on a 149 million USD mine preparation project in the district of Commewijne. There is exploration project in the Western part of Suriname. If reserves prove economically viable total investments in this area could prove substantial. In 2004, Suriname's gold sector experienced a significant boost with the start-up of a 95 million USD processing plant and gold refinery, Rosebel Gold Mines. In its first year of operations this company has proven to be the most productive and cost effective of 4 companies owned by the Canadian mining giant Cambior Inc. Other investments in gold come from exploration activities of larger companies, including Suralco and the predominantly illegal and environmentally unfriendly small scale gold mining. Activities in the oil sector are in the hands of the State owned oil company "Staatsolie". Established in 1980, Staatsolie currently produces approximately 12,000 barrels daily from its onshore activities. Fueled by a 2000 report from the U.S. Geological Survey, which indicated that the Guyana Basin may contain approximately 15 billion barrels of crude oil, Staatsolie set out to establish international partnerships for offshore exploration. In 2004 the company signed production sharing agreements with the Spanish company Repsol YPF and the Danish company Maersk Oil. In 2005 a third partnership was established with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the American company Occidental. All 4 companies will perform seismic research to establish the true reserves off Suriname's coast. In agriculture the export of bananas has resuemd after a 2 year hiatus caused by the restructuring of the government owned banana company. The export of shrimp has been stable over the past year. The largest market for Surinamese shrimp is the United States followed by Japan and Europe. Exports of rice have taken a beating in recent years, primarily due to the loss of European market access and lack of investments in this sector. Smaller industries include a beer brewery, a distillery, a detergent company, soft drink bottling companies etc. Suriname is for 90 percent dependant on the import of foodstuffs and other consumer products. These imports are primarily from the United States, The Netherlands and Trinidad. When Suriname became a member of CARICOM, which includes association in the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME), in 1995 the competition from more cost efficient companies in Trinidad forced some smaller companies in Suriname out of business. This pattern has changed somewhat over the past few years as the better managed production companies in Suriname found their forte and established themselves on the Caribbean market. Besides the common trade partners (the United States, the Netherlands and CARICOM), Suriname's trade has also picked up with China, Indonesia and India.

Transportation Last Updated: 4/12/2005 1:40 PM

Automobiles

Personally owned vehicles (POVs) are the best means of transportation in Paramaribo, and you should have one. Personnel may experience delays from one to several months in receiving their vehicles from previous posts or U.S. factories. Most officers have Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) because of the poor road conditions, need for clearance in the capital, and for access to the interior. There are Japanese-manufactured vehicles in Suriname, due to the availability of right-hand drive models and the relative cost of a used Japanese car. A Japanese manufactured vehicle, particularly a Toyota, is the easiest car to have repaired, due to the availability of parts and service. Many officers do have U.S.-made automobiles, but the availability of parts and qualified service is somewhat limited as U.S.-made vehicles increase in complexity.

All Embassy official vehicles are air-conditioned and air-conditioning in your POV is a must. Personnel are encouraged to contact GSO prior to purchase of a new vehicle and/or shipment, to ensure that the rules and regulations governing vehicle imports have not changed. For example, employees with vans/mini-vans that have sliding doors on the right-hand side of the vehicle have been warned that such vehicles are inappropriate and would not be registered/licensed. Also, you may not import vehicles with tinted windows which make the driver not visible. The rear windows may be tinted, but the driver's side must be visible at all times.

When specific new car models are not available locally for purchase, secondhand cars are an option. There has been a significant recent influx of late-model, used vehicles from Japan in the past few years. These vehicles are reasonably priced, clean and generally have low mileage. However, they are mostly sedans and thus unsuitable for all but city driving.

Regardless of what sort of vehicle Embassy personnel have, be prepared for routine maintenance and repair needs. An initial supply of basic spare parts, including spark plugs, air filters, oil filters, fuel filters, fan belts, brake pads is recommended. If you have a service manual for use by local mechanics, it is a helpful plus. Gasoline is of good quality, but cleaning additives may also be useful.

Assigned personnel may buy all gasoline duty free at the Embassy. Gas on the local economy is usually available and is higher price than that sold by the Embassy. For driving, a Suriname driver's license must be obtained by presenting to the Foreign Ministry a valid U.S. license, two 3 cm.-x-5 cm. photos (black and white), and a small fee. Surinamese third-party liability insurance is required by local law. This insurance has been purchased at reduced prices in the past by presenting a no-claim statement from previous insurance companies for the past 5 years. Other insurance should be purchased through a U.S. company as prices are much lower than through local companies.

Traffic moves on the left, although left-hand drive cars are commonplace and may be freely imported. Newly arrived staff may need a few days to get used to traffic flowing on the left before beginning to drive. Be especially careful when crossing streets, as it is easy to forget from which way traffic is coming. Also, the profusion of bicycles and mopeds along some streets creates confusion for newcomers. It is important to note that bicycles and mopeds have the right-of-way and both drivers and pedestrians must learn to look carefully when making turns.

Driving is sometimes tricky in Paramaribo as unique street signs are used, and there are relatively few traffic lights, which do not operate on the weekends. Auto trips in town can vary greatly depending on the time of day. A car with good maneuverability is helpful in traffic, since most streets are narrow. For travel to remote areas of Suriname a four-wheel drive vehicle is required and such vehicles do make driving in town easier during periods of heavy rainfall or flooding.

Local Transportation

The city has several taxi companies. Cabs may be requested by telephone and at cabstands at a few of the major hotels. Rental cars are available in Paramaribo, but are very expensive. Paramaribo is served by a network of small buses at very low prices, most of which are privately owned. However, buses are not air-conditioned and are hot and crowded during rush hours. Furthermore, buses are not as regulated as in the U.S. and overcrowding and aggressive driving are commonplace. The regional security officer advises against using local buses. Mopeds, motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles are important local means of transportation. Traffic can be especially hazardous for riders of two-wheeled vehicles.

Regional Transportation

Suriname's extensive rivers and streams are important avenues of transportation. Some are navigable by small ocean freighters for 100 miles inland. Hundreds of miles of smaller rivers are navigable by boats and barges and are used widely for moving people and freight. The boats of the Amerindians and Maroons are vital to their livelihoods and economy.

Roads outside of Paramaribo are few and often in poor condition. The roads to Nieuw Nickerie in the west and Albina in the east are virtually the only paved roads outside of Paramaribo.

For plane transportation within Suriname, the choices are extremely limited. A number of charter companies and Surinam Airways Ltd. (SLM) offer flights between Paramaribo and destinations in the interior as well as flights to Nieuw Nickerie. The only practical means of reaching some interior areas is by small plane. These regional flights utilize the Zorg en Hoop airport, a small airfield in the southwest of the city with occasionally flights to/from Georgetown, Guyana.

For destinations outside of Suriname, the choices are even fewer. Jet planes utilize J. A. Pengel International Airport (a.k.a. "Zanderij"), 25 miles (1 hour) south of Paramaribo. Zanderij is served by SLM (Curacao, Port of Spain, Aruba--once a week via Port of Spain-- and Belem, Brazil), and BWIA International ( Port of Spain), and KLM/SLM (to Amsterdam, Holland). There are no direct flights to the United States, and transportation in and out of the country can still be extremely diffucult and time consuming. Flights are frequently delayed and cancelled, and arrive/depart late at night or early in the morning.

Suriname has no passenger railroad transportation.

Automobiles Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:01 AM

Local Transportation Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:02 AM

Regional Transportation Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:03 AM

Roads outside of Paramaribo are few and often in poor condition. The roads to Nieuw Nickerie in the west and Albina in the east are virtually the only paved roads outside of Paramaribo.

Suriname has no passenger railroad transportation.

Communications Last Updated: 4/12/2005 1:50 PM

Telephones and Telecommunications

Telephone systems connect Suriname's cities with each other and the outside world. Services are usually reliable although outages occur routinely and direct dialing both to and from the U.S. is possible although rates are very high. It is often very difficult for people from the U.S. and the rest of the world to call into Suriname. Surinamese telephone numbers are currently only six digits, due to the relatively small number of users. Suriname's country code is 597, so calls from the U.S. need only dial 011 (international access number) 597 (country code) plus the 6-digit local phone number.

AT&T offers "USA Direct" and "World Connect" services from Suriname. Although AT&T service is available, other major U.S. and international carriers do not have local access numbers at this time. Thus, employees are encouraged to bring a personal AT&T card to post. (To apply for an AT&T card call (304) 341–3020.) You can also purchase local calling cards. Unless your family has a special calling program to call Suriname. Incoming calls from the U.S. are expensive per minute average.

Fax lines are also provided by Telesur, the local telephone company, and subject to the same limitations and difficulties as voice lines. The Embassy currently has several direct fax lines, including: EXEC—420800; CONS—425788; ADM—410972; GSO—479829; Health Unit—426603; and DAO—410565. Faxes from the U.S. need only dial 011 (international access number) 597 (country code) plus the 6-digit fax number.

Internet

The residential service is slow and unreliable as the bandwidth is inadequate. The Embassy has satellite internet access on all computers, and the service there is reliable and quick. Recently, there has been speculation that a vendor is preparing to offer high speed internet by the end of 2005.

Mail and Pouch

Personnel are allowed to use diplomatic pouch facilities to receive personal mail and packages, to send flat mail, and to return mail-order items. When using the Dulles, VA address for personal mail (below), no mention should be made of the State Department in the address. In theory, the diplomatic pouch arrives twice weekly and mail is delivered out of the Embassy mailroom. The diplomatic pouch has certain limitations on the size of incoming packages, so care should be used when items are shipped via the pouch. The limitations currently are: 1)) 17x18x32 and up to 50 lbs. Also, the Department's pouch service does not accept packages containing liquids, or packages or letters that are insured or registered. Letters or packages sent via the Dulles pouch address take from 3 to 4 weeks to reach post. International airmail letters arrive once a week from the U.S.and the average transit time is 3 to 4 weeksr. Surface mail may take 2 months or longer to arrive. Local mail service is slow and of questionable reliability for letters and parcel post.

Addresses are as follows:

Pouch Mail (official business): (Employee's Name) U.S. Department of State 3390 Paramaribo Place Washington, D.C. 20521-3390

Pouch Mail (personal): (Employee's Name) 3390 Paramaribo Place Dulles, VA 20189-3390

International: (Employee's Name) P.O. Box 1821 Paramaribo, Suriname South America

International airmail rates to the U.S. are in a state of price fluctuation due to inflation. Bring an ample supply of U.S. postage stamps.

Radio and TV

Suriname boasts a number of local, Dutch language TV channels, at least four of which broadcast in Paramaribo daily. Occasionally, These channels offer the occasional pirated American film. Cable television is also available. Prices are reasonable, though the number of channels is limited. Some local residents have satellite dishes, with which they can receive programs from the U.S., Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. Direct TV is available locally and the cost of installation is $850 this does not include the $30 monthly fee for viewing. The Embassy provides satellite dishes for AFN viewing. We currently have three AFN channels available.

There are a number of radio stations, both AM and FM. They broadcast a variety of music and information programs from early morning to late evening. The information programs are largely in Dutch, but also in Sranan Tongo, Hindi, and Javanese. The music covers the entire spectrum, including that of the local ethnic groups.

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals

Paramaribo features four daily newspapers, both in Dutch. Other newspapers, periodicals, and Government publications are also in Dutch. English-language newspapers are unavailable in Suriname. However, the government cultural center has, in the past, maintained a public library with a limited collection of English editions. A few very expensive English-language paperbacks and hardcover books are sporadically available from one or two retail outlets in Paramaribo.

Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:08 AM

Wireless Service Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:06 AM Telephones and Telecommunications

Internet Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:20 PM

Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:17 AM

Personnel are allowed to use diplomatic pouch facilities to receive personal mail and packages, to send flat mail, and to return mail-order items. When using the Dulles, VA address for personal mail (below), no mention should be made of the State Department in the address. In theory, the diplomatic pouch arrives twice weekly and mail is delivered out of the Embassy mailroom. The diplomatic pouch has certain limitations on the size of incoming packages, so care should be used when items are shipped via the pouch. The limitations currently are: 1)) 17x18x32 and up to 50 lbs. Also, the Department's pouch service does not accept packages containing liquids, or packages or letters that are insured or registered. Letters or packages sent via the Dulles pouch address take from 3 to 4 weeks to reach post. International airmail letters arrive once a week from the U.S.and the average transit time is 3 to 4 weeks. Surface mail may take 2 months or longer to arrive. Local mail service is slow and of questionable reliability for letters and parcel post.

Addresses are as follows:

Pouch Mail (official business): (Employee's Name) U.S. Department of State 3390 Paramaribo Place Washington, D.C. 20521-3390

Pouch Mail (personal): (Employee's Name) 3390 Paramaribo Place Dulles, VA 20189-3390

International: (Employee's Name) P.O. Box 1821 Paramaribo, Suriname South America

International airmail rates to the U.S. are in a state of price fluctuation due to inflation. Bring an ample supply of U.S. postage stamps.

Radio and TV Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:23 PM

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:18 AM

Health and Medicine Last Updated: 4/12/2005 1:54 PM

Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Paramaribo do not meet American standards and can only provide basic care. Serious medical conditions require evacuation, usually to Miami. Medical facilities also lack pharmaceutical and basic medical supplies. Minimal dental care is available from local dentists who employ aged equipment, and officers should try to have all routine dental work completed before arrival. Eyeglasses can be prescribed and fitted locally. Contact lens prescriptions and treatment should be obtained in the U.S.

Shortages of medicines are frequent. However, most common prescription medicines are locally available. You are encouraged to ship a good stock of those over-the-counter drugs that you may need, as well as a well stocked first-aid kit. Any special pharmaceutical required should be brought to post in a 3-6 month supply.

The Embassy maintains a small supply of basic medicines. The Embassy employs a locally engaged nurse, who is western trained, and is visited by the Regional Medical Officer twice a year and by a American Nurse Practioner twice a year for consultations and referrals. The Embassy also maintains a small stock of commonly used prescription drugs such as antibiotics, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are dispensed on the advice of a physician or the Embassy nurse.

Community Health

The general level of sanitation and health is Paramaribo is fair, although well below the standards found in the most advanced parts of Europe or in the U.S. As with any developing country, the sanitation and garbage collection and disposal is rudimentary. However, health programs administered by the government have reduced yellow fever, and malaria, from the greater Paramaribo area. HIV/AIDS rates are 2- 3% and rising for the general population but are reported to be over 20% in some populations.

Insect vectored diseases do remain a threat in parts of Suriname. Dengue Fever outbreaks have been recurrent in Paramaribo. In addition, incidences of malarial outbreaks have been increasing in areas of Suriname's interior where spraying has been discontinued due to financial reasons.

Special precautions should be taken when purchasing or preparing local milk, vegetables, and meats as these industries are not regulated. Use of pesticides is widespread and delivery times and storage practices from sources to vendor vary drastically. The Embassy provides water distillers as reports about the water quality cast doubts on its safety.

Preventive Measures

In rural areas, the lack of sanitation and other health measures make disease a constant threat. Where possible, water should be boiled. Skin infections are common throughout the interior, where one also finds contact parasites such as schistosomiasis. Shoes should always be worn out of doors. When traveling in the interior in malarial zones, prophylactic medicines are required.

The high humidity in Suriname may aggravate conditions such as arthritis, sinusitis, rheumatism, and bronchial asthma. The humidity also encourages the growth of skin funguses and allergies. The abundance of local plants, flowers, and insects can also be a source of allergic reactions. In addition, the climate can be mildly debilitating initially to those accustomed to a cooler, drier climate.

Located near the Equator, Suriname's sun rays, despite the cool sea breezes, can be quite strong, causing burns in a shorter period of time than in more northerly latitudes. Mosquitoes are prevalent in Paramaribo and many use mosquito nets when sleeping in non-air-conditioned rooms. When traveling in the interior, mosquito nets are a must. In addition, mosquito and insect repellents are widely used by Americans and many Surinamers. The great number of insects in this tropical region results in frequent, though generally mild bites. Even with excellent precautions, insect bites will often become infected and require treatment.

Travelers in the interior rain forests areas should exercise caution by wearing proper clothing and keeping alert for poisonous snakes and other potentially dangerous animals. Travelers should thoroughly check for ticks on their persons and clothing.

Medical Facilities Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:20 AM

Community Health Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:27 PM

Preventive Measures Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:22 AM

Employment for Spouses and Dependents Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:23 AM

Opportunities for employment in Paramaribo are moderate. There are four part-time positions available within the Embassy: Community Liaison Officer (CLO); RSO Asst; Residential Security Coordinator; and Consular Associate. In addition, there is a full-time Office Management Specialist (OMS) for the POL/ECON Section. On an as needed basis, the Embassy employees Eligible Family members for construction escort duties and other projects.

Aside from providing freelance services, teaching English as a second language or giving piano lessons, employment opportunities outside the Embassy are extremely limited.

American Embassy - Paramaribo

Post City Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:24 AM

Paramaribo is located 3 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, on the west bank of the Suriname River. Founded by the British in 1613, it originally served as a trading post with the Indians. From that date, Paramaribo was subject to alternating British and Dutch administration. The city expanded and developed greatly during the 18th century but declined somewhat during the 19th century after two serious fires. All of the core of Paramaribo’s has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Many of the city's current structures date from the early and mid-20th century and exhibit a unique blend of Dutch colonial and tropical architecture with strong British influences. Unfortunately, lack of proper maintenance during the last few years has given local buildings a run-down look, though some buildings have recently been restored and repainted.

Approximately 250,000 people live in Paramaribo and its immediate environs. The city is the heart of Suriname's political, cultural, and intellectual life, serving not only its own population but that of the entire country. Older cultural traditions prevail in isolated villages in the interior rain forests. Other sizable communities are rare, found only in Nieuw Nickerie, 130 miles west of Paramaribo, and the bauxite-mining town of Moengo, 45 miles east of Paramaribo.

There are about 300 registered American citizens who live in Suriname, including children and most serve as Protestant missionaries. Other resident embassies are those of Brazil, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), France, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, and Venezuela. Many other countries have nonresident embassies. Some countries are represented by honorary consuls, including: Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Haiti, Italy, Lebanon, Norway, Peru, Spain, and Sweden.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:26 AM

The first American consul for Suriname was commissioned in 1790. Served by a consular agency from Georgetown or Port of Spain from 1897 to 1941, the post became a Consulate again in 1941 and was elevated to a Consulate General in 1961. The Embassy has been open since Suriname's independence in 1975.

The Chancery occupies a five-story building on Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat, about four blocks from the commercial center of town. Working hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Chancery houses all components of the Mission except the Peace Corps, but including the Office of the Defense Attaché (DAO). The staff totals 17 direct-hire Americans, 4 American EFM positions, and 47 Locally Employed Staff (LES) and Personal Services Contract employees. The local guard force is supplied by a contractor.

The Executive Section consists of the Ambassador, DCM, and one American Office Management Specialist.

The Political/Economic Section includes a political officer, an economic officer, an FSN political/economic assistant, an FSN economic/commercial specialist, one public diplomacy FSN and one EFM full-time Office Management Specialist, and one FSN representative for the Business and Education Resource Center.

The small Consular Section is staffed by a Vice-Consul, who is assisted by a EFM Consular Associate and two FSN's in providing the full range of consular services.

The Management Section consists of a Management Officer, a General Services Officer, the Information Management Officer, an Information Management Specialist, a CLO and 33 local employees.

The Regional Security Office has one RSO, an EFM RSO Asst., an EFM Residential Security Coordinator, two FSN investigators, one guard coordinator and one SD coordinator.

The Peace Corps offices are located on Franchepanestraat, in southern Paramaribo. Their staff includes a Country Director, and Administrative Officer and 12 local employees. This office supports nearly 45 volunteers, scattered throughout Paramaribo and the rest of Suriname.

The U.S. Defense Attaché Office (USDAO) is comprised of the Defense and Army Attaché (DATT; a U.S. Army field grade officer) and an operations coordinator (OPSCO; a U.S. Army noncommissioned officer.) There are two Security Assistance Officers (SAO) on a TDY basis, one of whom holds a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Traditional CINC Activities (TCA) coordinator position, and one NCOIC, responsible for coordinating military-to-military initiatives and events with the host nation Armed Forces.

Housing Last Updated: 4/12/2005 1:57 PM

Temporary Quarters

The Embassy maintains no transient or temporary quarters. Permanent housing is generally available upon arrival. If not, personnel may be assigned to a local hotel for a few weeks until permanent housing is ready for occupancy.

Permanent Housing

All official American personnel are assigned to furnished housing, which are either owned or leased by the U.S. Government. All houses are in good neighborhoods, most within 5 miles of the Chancery. Each has a refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, washer, dryer, micro-wave, TV, DVD and gas stove. Lawn mowers, bb-q grills, patio furniture are also provided. Quarters are not shared. The styles of houses vary, but range from a single story rambler, through two-story and split-level homes.

The Ambassador's residence (CMR) is a short-termed leased modern two-story home, located in an affluent neighborhood fifteen minutes from the Chancery. The house has three bedrooms and two baths on the upper floor. The upper floor also contains the master suite with an adjoining bathroom. The ground floor is made up of the dining area and living room. The sub-first floor contains a family room, a half bath, a large kitchen, a walk-in pantry and an area for the servants. There is also a basement that is composed of a large room and a small alcove. There is a large garden with a pool, a volleyball court, and a gazebo. Behind the house is a guest house with two bedrooms, a sitting room, and two bathrooms.

As an SEP post, the Embassy has no official DCR.

Furnishings

The Embassy's property program supplies residences with furnishings and appliances in good condition and implementing an updated replacement cycle. Rugs, curtains or draperies, and air-conditioners are furnished for all residences. All master suites have a queen-sized bed, while other bedrooms are furnished with twin-sized beds. Most dining tables expand to seat 12. Incoming personnel are routinely provided an Embassy "Hospitality Kit" until their effects arrive. The Hospitality Kit contains dishes, pots and pans, cutlery, eating utensils, an iron and ironing board, and a supply of linens adequate for all beds in the house. Incoming staff should also include survival quantities of these items in their airfreight (UAB) shipments.

Storage is available at most Embassy residences, allowing employees to store consumables or unused items of furniture at their homes. The Embassy does not provide offsite storage of items of furniture issued to the individual residences.

Utilities and Equipment

Special efforts have been made to upgrade housing to as close as to one might expect of a middle-class single-family home in the U.S.

During periods of peak demand, there have been problems with the low flow of water and outages from the municipal water supply. All Embassy homes remain equipped with storage tanks and pumps should this problem recur. The municipal water company recently installed new and larger water mains that have virtually eliminated the former shortages. Most Embassy homes also come equipped with Durastill brand water distillers which provide safe drinking water. Others are advised to boil water if electricity supply does not support the distiller regiments. Post does experience frequent power fluctuations and weekly outages.

All homes use bottled gas for cooking. Most homes have electric water heaters.

The electric supply is 127 volt, 60 Hz, AC. American appliances, including TVs, stereos, and electric clocks work well and do not require the use of transformers. The electricity supply is fairly reliable, though brownouts and outages are common enough that all houses are equipped with back-up residential generators. Most houses have a combination of European-round and U.S.-style electrical outlets. Adapters for U.S.-style plugs are readily available, and a starter supply is furnished by the Embassy. Bring along surge suppressers for sensitive electronic equipment, and for the serious home PC user, a small un-interruptible power supply (UPS) might be useful.

All Embassy-leased houses have telephones. The occupant pays for the monthly charge and all personal calls by reimbursing the Embassy Budget and Fiscal Office. Some of the Embassy's residences have direct dial international access.

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:31 PM

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:28 AM

As an SEP post, the Embassy has no official DCR.

Furnishings Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:34 PM

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:30 AM

Special efforts have been made to upgrade housing to as close as to one might expect of a middle-class single-family home in the U.S.

All homes use bottled gas for cooking. Most homes have electric water heaters.

Food Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:33 AM

A variety of imported food items are available locally, but costs are very high relative to U.S. prices. Care must be taken in the purchase and preparation of food because of the lack of government regulation. Good-quality chicken and eggs can be obtained in Paramaribo. The chickens are small by U.S. standards, but U.S. chicken parts can also be found. Local beef, ham, and pork are available, although cuts are European cuts, and are very, very lean—and quite different from those in the U.S. Most meat products are available at reasonable prices. Fresh fish is sold at the markets, though increasing pollution in local streams and rivers makes it important to determine where the fish comes from. Frozen shrimp is usually available at lower prices than in the U.S. As previously noted caution should be exercised when buying meat, chicken and fish locally.

A variety of fresh vegetables can be purchased in the markets. However, availability varies greatly depending on time of year and shortages. These include tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, green beans, bananas, cucumbers, egg plant, leafy vegetables similar to spinach, pumpkin and papaya. Imported broccoli, fresh carrots, and iceberg lettuce can also be purchased, but are very expensive. The local citrus fruits and bananas are excellent and inexpensive. Available seasonally are: pineapple, avocados, celery (small), oranges, melons, coconuts, mangoes, and watermelons. Vegetables and fruits out-of-season can be found but prices can be as much as 100% higher or more. Certain cool-weather vegetables—e.g., broccoli and brussels sprouts—are usually imported and often not available or are in short supply and thus, very expensive.

A Government facility produces a milk product that is a combination of fresh and powdered milk that is not pasteurized. Some do not care for the taste of this milk. Long shelf-life milk, imported from Holland or the U.S. is usually available as a substitute. A yogurt drink is available in a variety of flavors. Butter and gouda cheese are also imported and are available regularly. Local ice cream is available and is of good quality, and some varieties imported from the U.S. can be found as well.

Carbonated soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Diet-Coke, Sprite and several fruit flavors) and soda water are bottled locally and easily available. Other soft drinks are imported and availability is erratic. Parbo, a locally brewed beer, is the national beer of choice, though imported beer is also available at moderate prices. Also popular are fruit punches (called "sap" in Dutch) made from concentrate, including markoesa (a local passion fruit drink) and West Indian cherry punch. You will not find caffeine free sodas.

Cooking enthusiasts should bring spices, baking items, and other necessities, as these items are sometimes hard to find and can be expensive.

Baby food in jars, baby cereal and baby diapers are very expensive. The Embassy has authorized a layette shipment and families needing these items should bring a good supply. It is not uncommon to find worms in local baby cereal.

Employees assigned to Paramaribo are authorized a consumables shipment of 2,500 and 3,750 pounds for 2 and 3 year assignments, respectively in addition to the household effects (HHE) shipment. The old adage, if you want it, bring it, certainly applies here. Although there is a variety of dry goods available locally, many items are available in limited supply, contingent on the arrival of surface shipments. If you have a favorite brand or product that you enjoy, be sure to include a sufficient supply in your consumables shipment. Although it is possible to live "on the economy," post strongly encourages you to make full advantage of your consumables shipment allowance.

Clothing Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:39 AM

Due to the warm humid climate in Paramaribo, usually only lightweight summer clothing is worn. A lightweight sweater and jacket for use in air-conditioned offices or for trips to the interior is appropriate. Evenings in the rainy season are somewhat cooler than in the dry season. During the two rainy seasons it rains heavily almost daily, and each family member should have an umbrella. Because of the heat and humidity, raincoats are seldom worn except by cyclists.

Bring wash-and-wear clothing. Woolens, heavy knits and leather items are undesirable, as they are readily attacked by mildew and moths. Winter clothing, for possible trips to cooler climates, should be brought and stored in air-conditioned rooms and aired frequently. Some clothing and shoes can be purchased locally. Many use mail-order catalogue companies or the Internet to purchase replacement clothing. (But remember that turn-around time via pouch can average 4-6 weeks.) Local tailors and seamstresses of average abilities can be found.

Men normally wear light cotton shirts and other lightweight tropical worsted, cotton-twill or synthetic fiber pants. Business suits are worn for all occasions, from cocktail parties, to official receptions and for calls on high-level government officials. Short-sleeved dress shirts, with or without ties, are acceptable for casual and official gatherings. Many social occasions occur when more sporty, casual attire is worn.

Women wear skirts or slacks while shopping in the city. Short, casual dresses are popular for social events. Long evening gowns are not required, since formal occasions are rare. Surinamese women are usually more dressed up than men at social events, and tend to wear stylish, tailored dresses or, occasionally, fancy pants outfits. Pants and pantsuits can be worn in casual social situations. Accessories can be purchased in the city but selection is limited and prices are higher than in the U.S. Bring a reserve supply of undergarments.

A sewing machine can be useful. Imported fabrics and dressmaking supplies are available and they are either the same or lower priced than in the U.S.

A uniform is worn by DAO members when making official calls, when visiting military installations, and when attending diplomatic functions in the evening and for certain special official functions. Daily office attire is generally civilian clothing, matching that of other employees.

Men Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:35 AM

Women Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:36 AM

A sewing machine can be useful. Imported fabrics and dressmaking supplies are available and they are either the same or lower priced than in the U.S.

Office Attire Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:36 AM

Supplies and Services Last Updated: 4/12/2005 2:00 PM

Supplies

Bring miscellaneous household items, kitchen and bathroom supplies and patent medicines. Since nearly everything must be imported, what is available is sometimes expensive. A supply of paper goods, detergents, dish washing detergent and other cleaning supplies, insect repellants and sprays, light bulbs, sun screen, baby supplies, pet supplies (dry pet food is available but is expensive), party supplies, cooking oil, candles, and any special or unusual medicines or toiletries should be brought to Paramaribo. You may want to consider shipping five or six surge protectors or voltage regulators for any sensitive electronic equipment you have. An uninterruptible power source (UPS) device could prove useful as the electricity can fluctuate or be interrupted periodically.

Basic Services

The city has two laundries and two drycleaners. Work is unpredictable in quality and prices are higher than in the U.S. Most officers have dry-cleaning done while in the U.S. Satisfactory hairdressers and barbers are available.

Repairs of any kind of electronic equipment, furniture, or appliances are erratic in quality and can be very slow, as parts are not stocked as in the U.S. Qualified technicians for some repairs may not exist in Paramaribo and shops may lack modern equipment. Many auto garages have rudimentary facilities, though skilled mechanics can do acceptable work. Necessary parts and supplies are often difficult to get in Suriname, especially for newer American made vehicles. Parts and supplies are generally more easily available for Japanese made cars. Bring basic maintenance supplies for your automobile.

Domestic Help

Most personnel have a full- or part-time maid. English-speaking domestic servants who are good cooks and who are Surinamese citizens are hard to find. No live-in help is available. A full-time English-speaking maid runs between $150 and $250 per month. Many domestics are Guyanese or Surinamese of Javanese descent. Officers should take care in hiring domestics as persons not legally residing in Suriname often seek such employment. The Embassy's CLO, RSO, and Personnel Office are available to guide new arrivals through the process of hiring a domestic, including providing necessary security and nationality checks. The CLO also maintains lists of domestics and gardeners.

Many officers also have part-time gardeners. Gardeners coming one to two days per week cost between $20 and $50 a month and may be available to help in other household projects as well. Gardeners do not supply their own tools. Clippers, shears, hoes, etc. can be bought here, but the prices are high and choice is limited. For entertainment, ample help is available, including bartenders, servers, etc., at a cost of around $2.50 per hour.

Religious Activities

Paramaribo has a number of religious communities and a long tradition of religious tolerance. Many Surinamers proudly point out that the country's largest mosque sits side by side with its largest synagogue. Indeed there are two synagogues in Paramaribo and a number of mosques serve Paramaribo and the rest of the country. In addition, a vibrant Christian community can be found in Suriname. Protestant denominations in Suriname include: African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Anglican, Assembly of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Moravian, Baptist, and Southern Baptist. Suriname is home to one of the largest wooden Roman Catholic cathedrals in the world and Roman Catholic churches and organizations abound. Other Christian communities include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Jehovah's Witnesses. Suriname also has many Hindu temples and a Baha’i Center.

Supplies Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:41 PM

Basic Services Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:41 PM

Domestic Help Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:42 AM

Religious Activities Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:42 AM

Education Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:54 PM

Dependent Education Last Updated: 6/22/2005 11:37 AM

Dependent Education

The International School of Suriname, operated by American Protestant missionaries, currently provides direct instruction grades 1 through 12 with a heavy emphasis on religious content in all aspects of the curriculum. In 2004 they added pre-k and kindergarten classrooms. Most Embassy affiliated children attend the International School of Suriname. All instruction is in English, and is up to American standards. Post's education allowance is based on this school and covers its costs. The school year runs from late August until May. The International School of Suriname is accredited.

Parents intending to enroll their children in the International School of Suriname should notify the Embassy as early as possible, giving the ages and school level of the students. Enrollment is not automatic. Children must be at least 6 years old to attend. Parents may arrange for a kindergarten class held off the school premises, usually at the Rainbow School, currently run by one American and a Surinamer. Children as young as 17 months are allowed to attend. They have a 2 year old, three year old, 4 year old and kindergarten classes.

Special Needs Education

The Office of Overseas Schools has been very supportive of special educational alternatives for officers assigned to Paramaribo. However, currently there are no viable arrangements that can be made for children with special needs.

Higher Education Opportunities

Suriname's local schools offer a good dual religious and secular educational system conducted in Dutch. Schools are run by the Catholic and Moravian churches as well as by the State. Although some foreign children, including those of diplomats, enroll in the Surinamese schools, the necessity of learning Dutch and the difficulty of transferring credits make this unlikely, though not impossible, for Americans.

Although standards vary, the best local schools have an excellent record in placing students in universities in Suriname, the U.S., the Netherlands, and elsewhere. Locally, Suriname's Anton de Kom University has medical, law, natural resources, and technical and social sciences faculties. Other higher educational institutions are here as well, though no Embassy dependents have sought education in Paramaribo at this level.

Language instruction in Spanish, Portuguese and French are available through the Cultural Centers in Paramaribo

At Post Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:43 AM The American Cooperative School (ACS), operated by American Protestant missionaries, currently provides direct instruction grades 1 through 12 with a heavy emphasis on religious content in all aspects of the curriculum. In 2004 they added pre-k and kindergarten classrooms. Most Embassy affiliated children attend ACS. All instruction is in English, and is up to American standards. Post's education allowance is based on this school and covers its costs. The school year runs from late August until May. ACS is accredited.

Parents intending to enroll their children in ACS school should notify the Embassy as early as possible, giving the ages and school level of the students. Enrollment is not automatic. Children must be at least 6 years old to attend. Parents may arrange for a kindergarten class held off the school premises, usually at the Rainbow School, currently run by one American and a Surinamer. Children as young as 17 months are allowed to attend. They have a 2 year old, three year old, 4 year old and kindergarten classes.

Special Needs Education Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:52 PM

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:45 AM

Language instruction in Spanish, Portuguese and French are available through the Cultural Centers in Paramaribo

Recreation and Social Life Last Updated: 4/12/2005 2:10 PM

Sports

The most popular national sport is soccer, with a number of Surinamese players starring on the international level. Local leagues are a regular feature of sports broadcasts. Basketball is also popular, with adult teams and leagues playing regularly. Tennis, swimming, golf, volleyball, weight lifting, badminton, horseback riding, and aerobic exercise classes are also available. Cricket is also available, but its popularity has declined in recent years. Embassy staff members frequently play volleyball with the other embassies.

Gardening, boating on the river, bird watching, orchid raising, and general horticulture are among many popular spare-time pursuits.

Four private clubs have swimming pools and tennis courts and Embassy families regularly join as members. Tennis lessons are also available. In addition, a private golf club with an 18-hole golf course (2 x 9 holes, with 2 tee boxes on each hole, with 12 greens) is located in south Paramaribo. The course is low and flat and subject to flooding during the rainy season. The course is not too challenging, offering enjoyment for advanced golfers and duffers alike. For both golf and tennis, be sure to include all equipment needed (especially tennis and golf balls, tennis rackets and golf clubs) in your household effects shipment. Some sports equipment items are available locally but are expensive. Embassy members actively participate in private club life and are welcome to join sports teams organized by the clubs.

Outside of the private clubs, piano lessons, guitar lessons and horseback riding lessons can be arranged.

Orchid growing and tropical gardening are among several popular hobbies in Paramaribo, but we suggest that you visit a comprehensive bookstore in the U.S. to purchase books on the subject before coming to post. Any supplies needed for a hobby should be brought to post in large quantities, as they are often either unavailable or expensive on the local economy. Flowering bedding plants are not available. Bring seeds and seed starting mediums, or plant catalogs to order from after you have assessed your needs.

Fishing is another very popular activity in Suriname. Bass (especially peacock bass, called tucanari locally), catfish, piranhas and other species are available in streams and rivers. Recreational boating is also popular here, though it is an expensive hobby. There are very few boats available for rent in Paramaribo and those for sale are usually old or extremely expensive. Interested officers may, however, ship a boat at their own expense.

Hunting is popular in Suriname. Chief of Mission approval is required before employees of the Embassy and their dependents may bring any weapons to Suriname. Please check with post management before you attempt to import a weapon. Night hunting is illegal. It is not recommended to hunt without a guide.

A gun club allows members and guests to shoot pistols (owned by the club) at a range near the city three times a week. Ammunition is priced about 50% higher than in the U.S. when it is available. There are regular shortages of 9mm and .38 caliber ammunition.

Camping and hiking are challenging due to the heat, insects, and lack of organized campsites or marked trails. For the adventurer, the rewards can certainly be worth the effort.

The flat terrain around Paramaribo is well suited for jogging and bicycling, although the urban area can be risky due to traffic patterns and large numbers of stray and guard dogs. A number of clubs can accommodate a variety of running styles.

Touring and Outdoor Activities

The magnificent interior of Suriname offers a number of opportunities for outdoor activities, especially for the adventurous. The interior of the country is almost entirely covered by tropical rainforest, inhabited only by a scattering of Amerindians and Maroons. Roads to the interior are few and very poor, but air and river transportation provide access to many locations. Persons interested in wildlife and traditional cultures will find this area fascinating. The Government's Foundation for the Preservation of Nature (STINASU), as well as private tour operators like METS and Independent Tours offer trips to the interior. The Embassy CLO has arranged short trips to well-known locations as well.

Suriname has no ocean beaches. Several "black-water" creeks (so called for their tannic-colored waters) offer interesting and safe swimming and boating experiences. One can drive to Kola Creek, Groningen, New Amsterdam, or even as far as Blakawatra or Brownsberg for Sunday outings or picnics. You can also enjoy swimming at “White Beach” or “Outbridge” along the river. Amenities such as restrooms, huts, and restaurants are available. Most important is that they also have safety nets in the water to prevent piranhas, which inhabit most rivers, from entering the swimming area.

A small museum and a natural history collection are located in Paramaribo, and also an open-air museum at New Amsterdam. One small zoo is also located in Paramaribo.

French Guiana offers French wines, cheeses, and other French products. Attractions include the European Space Center at Kourou and the infamous "Devil's Island." However, prices in French Guiana are expensive, and the trip there is long and arduous.

Entertainment

Paramaribo has no movie theaters. Videos in VHS or DVD format can be rented from several local commercial sources. Films in both Dutch and English are available, as well as very popular East Indian Hindi-language movies. The Dutch Embassy currently hosts a public Dutch-language movie one night a month.

Although Suriname has no regularly scheduled live theater, the Suriname Cultural Center (CCS), the Thalia Theater, local businesses and Ons Erf occasionally sponsor plays, concerts, ballets, and other cultural events. Plays are usually in Dutch or Sranan Tongo.

Average-to-good Chinese, Javanese, and Korean food is served in a number of restaurants in Paramaribo. Prices are significantly lower than those at good U.S. restaurants. A few continental-style restaurants and U.S. fast food outlets also are available. McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and Popeye’s have all opened within the past several years.

The Torarica Hotel often has shows in its lounge, usually a solo performance by a singer, dancer, or musician. A dance band, casino, and a restaurant are also featured. In addition, there are a number of bars and local discos that cater to young people and the young at heart. Like much of the Caribbean and South America, nightlife starts late and continues to the early morning. No special or unusual etiquette is required when participating in any form of entertainment. In the past years many new casinos and restaurants have opened, but some are off-limits to post personnel due to concerns about links to illicit activities, including prostitution and money-laundering.

Parades and local fairs are sometimes held on holidays.

Sports Last Updated: 4/8/2005 1:58 PM

Gardening, boating on the river, bird watching, orchid raising, and general horticulture are among many popular spare-time pursuits.

Outside of the private clubs, piano lessons, guitar lessons and horseback riding lessons can be arranged.

Camping and hiking are challenging due to the heat, insects, and lack of organized campsites or marked trails. For the adventurer, the rewards can certainly be worth the effort.

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:52 AM

A small museum and a natural history collection are located in Paramaribo, and also an open-air museum at New Amsterdam. One small zoo is also located in Paramaribo.

Entertainment Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:57 AM

Parades and local fairs are sometimes held on holidays.

Social Activities Last Updated: 4/12/2005 2:12 PM

Among Americans The American community (about 50 families) is too small to support exclusive social activity, even in Paramaribo. The majority work as missionaries.

International Contacts Most of the non-Surinamese, middle-class expatriate community is Dutch, with relatively few other foreigners. Social calls and social affairs among both the Surinamers and the Dutch are somewhat more structured than U.S. custom requires. Close friends usually do not call on one another without prior notice. Officers ordinarily use calling cards or business cards for first formal calls and during introductions. Printed cards are available in Suriname, but are more expensive than in the U.S. Five hundred cards are needed for a 3-year tour and 250 for a 2-year tour.

At receptions and dinners, business suits and dresses are often worn, but men wear sport shirts on more informal occasions. Receptions and cocktail parties usually begin at 7:30-8pm and last for a couple of hours. Dinners usually begin at 7:30 pm but starting times of 8 pm and 8:30 pm are also frequent. Buffets (stand-up or sit-down) are the most common form of evening entertaining in the home. Formal sit-down dinners are infrequent, except among the diplomatic community. Women sometimes entertain at morning coffee.

Entertainment does not usually take place in the afternoon. Paramaribo is a friendly city. It is easy to meet people either through personal introductions or by making calls (appointments first). There are many men's and women's service clubs in Paramaribo, including a Diplomatic Ladies Group (comprised of ladies from the Embassies and consuls in Paramaribo), Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Optimists, Soroptimists. Anyone interested in social work may volunteer with the Salvation Army (Leger des Heils), Red Cross (Rode Kruis), YWCA, the family planning organization (LOBI), or one of many other public service groups.

Among Americans Last Updated: 4/12/2005 11:58 AM The American community (about 50 families) is too small to support exclusive social activity, even in Paramaribo. The majority work as missionaries.

International Contacts Last Updated: 4/8/2005 2:03 PM Most of the non-Surinamese, middle-class expatriate community is Dutch, with relatively few other foreigners. Social calls and social affairs among both the Surinamers and the Dutch are somewhat more structured than U.S. custom requires. Close friends usually do not call on one another without prior notice. Officers ordinarily use calling cards or business cards for first formal calls and during introductions. Printed cards are available in Suriname, but are more expensive than in the U.S. Five hundred cards are needed for a 3-year tour and 250 for a 2-year tour.

Official Functions Last Updated: 4/12/2005 2:14 PM

Nature of Functions

Suriname's national holiday is Independence Day, November 25. On this occasion, there is a large parade in the morning, with a large reception in the evening, held by the President. National days are also celebrated by the resident embassies in Paramaribo (those of the Netherlands, U.S., Venezuela, Indonesia, Brazil, France, China, Japan, India and Guyana). Honorary consuls also hold national day celebrations, ranging from brief noonday receptions for a small number of top officials to lavish evening affairs. Dress at the President's Palace for receptions is normally dark business suit for men, with corresponding dress for ladies.

Standards of Social Conduct

Foreign Service personnel are expected to take part in all official activities sponsored by the Embassy and to attend most outside functions to which they are invited. Courtesy calls upon arrival on all persons with whom an officer expects to have future contact are recommended.

Special Information

Post Orientation ProgramThe post has an active sponsorship program to orient newcomers, directed by the CLO and the Administrative Office.

Nature of Functions Last Updated: 4/8/2005 2:05 PM

Standards of Social Conduct Last Updated: 4/8/2005 2:05 PM

Special Information Last Updated: 4/12/2005 12:01 AM

Post Orientation Program

Post Orientation ProgramThe post has an active sponsorship program to orient newcomers, directed by the CLO and the Administrative Office.

Notes For Travelers

Getting to the Post Last Updated: 4/12/2005 12:04 AM

It is recommended that you make your airline reservations as early as possible, as travel to Suriname is difficult.

Most travelers leave from Washington, D.C. and transit through Miami to either Curacao or Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Both destinations can be reached by American Airlines. From Curacao or Port-of-Spain, travelers fly on to Paramaribo via Surinam Airways (SLM) or BWIA International. Some flights may require an overnight stay along the way depending on the season schedule. KLM and SLM service from Amsterdam operates four – six times per week depending on the season.

If you plan to fly SLM, we recommend that you stay in very close contact with their office in Miami, as the schedule changes more often than not. (In Florida call (800) 432-1230; (305) 871-3604; or (305) 599-1196.) Although no contract airfares are available to Suriname, employees should ensure that a contract carrier is used from Washington, DC to the port of departure in the U.S. Failure to use the appropriate contract fares may result in out-of-pocket expense for travel to post. Don’t be surprised if the plane is delayed or rescheduled.

Newly arriving American personnel and dependents are met on arrival at J.A. Pengel International Airport. If housing is not ready, rooms in a Paramaribo hotel will be reserved. If for any reason a traveler is not met at the airport, buses and taxis do go into Paramaribo. Travelers who are not met may also wish to contact the duty officer: 08808302 (cell); 08980338 (pager). If you cannot reach the duty officer, please try the GSO (at 08981249) or the administrative officer (at 08811716).

Most hotel bookings are made at the Torarica. The Torarica has good dining facilities and recreational outlets, including a swimming pool, sauna, exercise areas, tennis courts, and other modern guest facilities. For long term stays at hotel post recommends the Krystal apartments. The Krystal apartments have kitchen, free laundry service and a very hospitable crew. Other hotels, including some smaller but quaint guesthouse facilities are also available.

Airfreight (UAB) to post takes about 2 weeks from Washington, D.C. Surface shipments usually take from two months. Only lightweight tropical clothing is worn in Paramaribo, so post recommends employees pack accordingly.

Customs, Duties, and Passage Last Updated: 4/12/2005 2:20 PM

Customs and Duties

All U.S. Embassy employees and their families may import household effects and one automobile or motorcycle per adult family member free of all duties. To facilitate entry, shipments should be marked and consigned to the American Ambassador rather than to an individual.

Shipments should be marked as follows: American Ambassador American Embassy For: (Name of Employee) Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129 Paramaribo, Suriname South America

No special charges or quotas are levied on unaccompanied baggage. A car of any type, weight, or color may be imported, excepting vehicles with fabricated tinted windows which would make the vehicle's driver not visible, or vans with sliding doors on the right of the vehicle. Suriname recently passed a law forbidding the importation of any vehicle older than 8 years. All assigned employees are encouraged to check with GSO prior to buying or shipping a vehicle for use in Suriname. All vehicles must pass a technical inspection to be registered. Vehicles can be cleared through customs only after the employee's arrival at post. No duty is charged on a reasonable amount of personal effects imported by a traveler for his own use. No special entry or exit regulations, nor restrictions on mail service are in force.

Passage

To enter Suriname you need a passport and a visa. Diplomats can obtain diplomatic visas from the Surinamese Embassy in Washington, D.C., which is located at 4301 Connecticut Ave., N.W., phone (202) 244-7488. Tourist visas may be obtained at the Surinamese Embassy or Suriname's Consulate General in Miami, which is located at 7235 NW 19th St., phone (305) 593-2163. In emergency situations, airport visas may be granted upon prior arrangement but as the process is unreliable it is strongly discouraged.

Officers assigned to the Embassy may exchange dollar checks for local currency at the Embassy in normal circumstances. For TDY personnel with diplomatic passports, a currency declaration need not be filled in at the airport. Personnel with official or personal passports may be required to fill in a currency declaration. Exchange receipts should be saved for inspection, though such inspections are extremely rare. TDY personnel may exchange dollars for Surinamese dollars at the Embassy cashier in accordance with post’s TDY ICASS policy.

Pets

For pets traveling to Suriname on the same flight, they must be accompanied by certificate of good health issued by a veterinarian from the point of origin and dated not more than 2 weeks before departure from the U.S. Dogs and cats may be imported from any country provided they are in good health and have been vaccinated against rabies not less than 30 days before arrival in Suriname. If accompanying documents do not meet the requirements, the animal will be quarantined or admittance will be refused. When traveling make sure you hand carry several copies of the current records. For pets traveling as cargo on a different flight, forward airway bill to post as soon as it becomes available. Please Contact GSO to coordinate shipping of pets and to ensure regulations have not changed.

Firearms and Ammunition

Stringent laws govern ownership of firearms and ammunition. Hunting licenses are obtained only after acquiring a permit to own a shotgun. Importing and registering a shotgun is also a long, slow process. An individual may own one shotgun. Twelve- and 16-gauge shotguns are used almost exclusively. Rifles or pistols are forbidden. Embassy staff members must obtain permission from the Chief of Mission before sending firearms to post.

Currency, Banking, and Weights and Measures

The Surinamese dollar is the national monetary unit. The exchange rate is officially a floating one, based on the outcome of the most recent currency auction. A currency declaration need not be filled in at the airport by holders of diplomatic passports.

Although Suriname's currency control regulations have recently been liberalized, the legal parallel currency market has a tenuous existence, at best. The Central Bank ostensibly requires all foreign currency purchases and sales to use its official rates. However, in practice most cambios use a market rate. Embassy employees should exchange dollars for Surinamese dollars at the Embassy or other approved exchange offices/cambios. Embassy employees may also cash personal dollar checks at the Embassy cashier. Outside the Embassy, cambios offer the best rates as most banks use only the official rate for dollar exchanges. It is possible to use dollars on the local market, though only in shops doing so with government approval.

The metric system is mandated by law in Suriname. An additional unofficial unit of weight measurement is the Dutch "Pond," which equals 500 grams, 46 grams more than an American pound.

Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of Property

Restrictions

Many local items carry a value-added tax (VAT), called the "omzetbelasting," currently about 8%. Unfortunately, Surinamese law does not allow for the reimbursement of this tax on the personal purchases of diplomats.

Local third-party automobile liability insurance is compulsory for U.S. Embassy personnel, and it is recommended that personnel carry additional coverage from an American company.

Personal property imported or purchased duty free may be sold by outgoing officers without payment of import duty by the buyer with the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In practice, this permission is readily given. Automobiles are a special item of concern, however. Automobiles imported or purchased duty free that have been in the country for at least 2 years, may be sold locally by personnel without payment of import duty by the buyer, though permission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also required. Automobiles that have been imported or purchased duty free that have been in Suriname for less than 2 years may be sold by personnel without payment of import duty by the buyer, but requires prior Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval granting of a waiver of duties. Although the Embassy has been successful in seeking these waivers in the past, all waivers are issued on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

Customs and Duties Last Updated: 4/12/2005 12:07 AM

Shipments should be marked as follows: American Ambassador American Embassy For: (Name of Employee) Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129 Paramaribo, Suriname South America

Passage Last Updated: 4/12/2005 12:08 AM

Pets Last Updated: 4/8/2005 9:53 AM

Firearms and Ammunition Last Updated: 4/8/2005 8:13 AM

Currency, Banking, and Weights and Measures Last Updated: 4/8/2005 8:15 AM

The metric system is mandated by law in Suriname. An additional unofficial unit of weight measurement is the Dutch "Pond," which equals 500 grams, 46 grams more than an American pound.

Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of Property Last Updated: 4/12/2005 12:11 AM

Restrictions

Local third-party automobile liability insurance is compulsory for U.S. Embassy personnel, and it is recommended that personnel carry additional coverage from an American company.

Recommended Reading Last Updated: 4/8/2005 8:41 AM

These titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on Suriname. The Embassy suggests that interested employees consult their local library or the Internet for additional titles. The Department of State does not endorse unofficial publications.

Brana-Shute, Gary. On the Corner: Male Social Life in a Paramaribo Creole Neighborhood. Waveland Press: 1989

Chin, Henk E. and Hans Buddingh. Suriname: Politics, Economics and Society (Marxist Regime Series). Frances Pinter: London and New York, 1987.

Dew, Edward. The Difficult Flowering of Suriname: Ethnicity and Politics in a Plural Society. Martinus Nijhoff: The Hague, 1978.

Foreign Economic Trends and Their Implications for the United States: Suriname. Prepared by American Embassy Paramaribo for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Available from: Publications Sales Branch, Room 1617, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230.

Herskovits and Herskovits. Rebel Destiny: Among the Bush Negroes in Surinam. 1934.

van Lier, R.A.J. Frontier Society: A Social Analysis of the History of Surinam. 1971.

Naipaul, V.S. The Middle Passage—The Caribbean Revisited. Macmillan: New York, 1963.

Mitrasing, F.E.M. Suriname: Land of Seven Peoples. H. van den Boomen: Paramaribo, 1979.

Oltmans, Willem. An Interview with Desi Bouterse. 1984.

Price, Richard. First-Time: The Historical Vision of an Afro-American People. The Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore and London, 1983.

Price, Richard. Saramaka. University of Chicago Press; Chicago, 1991.

Price, Richard. Alabils World. The Johns Hopkins University Press: 1990.

Stedman, John Gabriel. Narrative of a Five Year Expedition Against the Revolted Negroes of Suriname. Imprint Society (Reprinted), 1971.

Vorhoeve and Lichtveld. Creole Drum: An Anthology of Creole Literature in Suriname. 1975.

Local Holidays Last Updated: 4/8/2005 9:58 AM

The Embassy observes the following Surinamese and American holidays in 2005:

New Year's Day Jan. 1 Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Jan. 17 Holi Phagwa (Suriname) (movable Hindu feast; date varies) President's Birthdays January 17 Good Friday (Suriname) March 25 Easter Monday (Suriname) March 28 Labor Day (Suriname) May 1 Id Ul Fitr (Suriname) (movable Muslim feast) (date varies) Emancipation Day (Suriname) July 1 Independence Day July 4 Labor Day September 5 Columbus Day Oct. 10 Veterans Day Nov. 11 Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24 Independence Day (Suriname) Nov. 25 Christmas Day Dec. 25

Adapted from material published by the U.S. Department of State. While some of the information is specific to U.S. missions abroad, the post report provides a good overview of general living conditions in the host country for diplomats from all nations.