rs: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 29.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.04 years
male: 67.51 years
female: 72.7 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Surinamer(s)
adjective: Surinamese

Ethnic divisions: Hindustani (also known locally as "East"
Indians; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter
part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed European and African
ancestry) 31%, Javanese 15.3%, "Bush Black" (also known as "Bush
Creole" whose ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and
18th centuries as slaves) 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%,
Europeans 1%, other 1.1%

Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%,
Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%

Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang
Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of
Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca
among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93%
male: 95.1%
female: 91%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form: Suriname
local long form: Republiek Suriname
local short form: Suriname
former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

Data code: NS

Type of government: republic

Capital: Paramaribo

Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular -
distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie,
Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica

Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ronald R. VENETIAAN
(since 16 September 1991) and Prime Minister Jules R. AJODHIA (since
16 September 1991), who is also the vice president, were elected for
five-year terms by the National Assembly; election last held 6
September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by
the National Assembly - Ronald VEN