Surinam

Surinam, once known as Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana, was first settled by the Spaniards in the 16th century. One of South America's smallest countries, it became a British colony and later came under the rule of Dutch in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, indentured labourers from India and Java were brought in. the country achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1975. Since then the nation has witnessed military coups and a civil war.

Lush rainforests, exotic wildlife and colonial architecture give Surinam a great potential for tourism. The country is embroiled in a prolonged dispute with its neighbouring country, Guyana, over a potentially oil-rich offshore area.

Travel overview
Suriname is a fascinating country, a tourism magnet. The country offers a fresh horizon for tourists with its amazing scenery, impressive colonial architecture and stirring eco-tourism destinations.
The Suriname capital, Paramaribo, is a handsome and colonial city, famous for its magnificent architecture including Independent Square. The country features some gorgeous mountain scenery with ranges covered with lush green tropical forests that are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna. The country's prime attraction is the spectacular, breathtaking Raleigh Falls which provide unmatched scenery. Suriname offers many superb game parks stocked with a profusion of birds and wildlife. Prominent among the parks are Voltzberg Nature Park, Brownsberg Nature Park and the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site.