Geography Quiz Arcade

Capital of Suriname: Paramaribo — Facts & 5-Question Quiz

The capital of Suriname is Paramaribo. Suriname sits in South America, has a population of 618,040, and uses the SRD. Official languages include Dutch.

Quick facts

  • Capital: Paramaribo
  • Continent: South America
  • Population: ~618,040
  • Area: 163,820 km²
  • Population density: 3.8 people per km²
  • Official language: Dutch
  • Currency: SRD
  • ISO code: SR

How big is Suriname?

By population, Suriname ranks 167th in the world, holding roughly well under a hundredth of a percent of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 90th.

Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Suriname has 3.8 people per square kilometre, which is far below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.

Within South America, Suriname is the 12th most populous country of 12.

Countries of a similar size

The two countries closest to Suriname in population are Montenegro (627,082) and Cabo Verde (593,149).

By land area, its closest counterparts are Tunisia (163,610 km²) and Uruguay (176,215 km²).

Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.

Language and currency

Dutch is spoken officially in 3 countries in this dataset, including Belgium and Netherlands.

Suriname uses the SRD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.

How to remember Suriname

Paramaribo's historic inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is nicknamed the 'Paris of Suriname'. Think 'P for Paramaribo, P for Paris'.

The flag of Suriname: green, white, red and yellow

🇸🇷 The flag is five horizontal stripes of green, white, a wide red stripe, white and green, with a yellow five-pointed star in the centre. Red stands for progress and love, green for hope and fertility, and white for peace, justice and freedom. The star stands for the unity of all the country's peoples.

Region and neighbours

Suriname is the smallest country in South America, on the northeast coast of the continent, on the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with 2 countries: Guyana and Brazil. To the east, Suriname also borders French Guiana, which is part of France.

Three facts about Suriname

  1. More than 90% of Suriname is covered by rainforest, the second-highest share of forest of any country.
  2. Suriname is the only independent country outside Europe where Dutch is the main language of government, business and schools.
  3. Suriname became independent from the Netherlands on 25 November 1975.

Sources: Wikipedia: Suriname, Wikipedia: Flag of Suriname, Wikipedia: Paramaribo, CIA World Factbook.

Quiz yourself on Suriname

Suriname capital quiz

  1. What is the capital of Suriname 🇸🇷?

    • Paramaribo
    • Georgetown
    • Buenos Aires
    • Asunción
    Show answer

    Paramaribo

  2. What is the capital of Guyana 🇬🇾?

    • Lima
    • Caracas
    • Sucre
    • Georgetown
    Show answer

    Georgetown

  3. What is the capital of Uruguay 🇺🇾?

    • Sucre
    • Georgetown
    • Paramaribo
    • Montevideo
    Show answer

    Montevideo

  4. What is the capital of Paraguay 🇵🇾?

    • Brasília
    • Asunción
    • Montevideo
    • Georgetown
    Show answer

    Asunción

  5. What is the capital of Bolivia 🇧🇴?

    • Sucre
    • Georgetown
    • Caracas
    • Asunción
    Show answer

    Sucre

Suriname in South America

The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Peru.

If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — South America is the block Suriname belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.

Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Suriname.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Suriname?

The capital of Suriname is Paramaribo.

What is the population of Suriname?

About 618,040, making it the 167th most populous country in the world.

How big is Suriname?

163,820 square kilometres, ranking 90th by land area, at a density of 3.8 people per square kilometre.

What currency does Suriname use?

The SRD, which no other country uses.

What are the colours of the Suriname flag?

The flag of Suriname is five horizontal stripes of green, white, a wide red stripe, white and green, with a yellow five-pointed star in the centre. Red stands for progress and love, green for hope and fertility, and white for peace, justice and freedom. The star stands for the unity of all the country's peoples.

Which countries border Suriname?

Suriname shares land borders with Guyana and Brazil. To the east, Suriname also borders French Guiana, which is part of France.

How can I remember the capital of Suriname?

Paramaribo's historic inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is nicknamed the 'Paris of Suriname'. Think 'P for Paramaribo, P for Paris'.

More capitals to learn

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