Surinam, the Country of Many Cultures and Natural Parks
July 23, 2010
Suriname is a country that lies between Guyana and Brazil. This country, with half a million inhabitants, is located in the Atlantic Ocean.
The capital city is Paramaribo, where the majority of the population. The city is a very active city with a great mix of cultures and languages and with many attractions for tourists. In this city, located along the Suriname River, we can find the Presidential and National Assembly, two prominent buildings. The center of the city is a World Heritage Site. There are several museums including the Museum of Surinam or the Numismatic Museum, attracting thousands of people. We can also visit the downtown Palmentuin Park, Palms Park. Almost the entire city follows the Netherlands colonial style, with large buildings and small houses centers of colors, plus multi-channel.
The country, formerly known as Netherlands Guiana, has a great variety of ethnicities, religions, cultures and languages. Although the official language is Dutch, most residents speak the local language and Javanese sranang Tongo. The wide variety of ethnic groups due to the fact that the country was once a former colony of the Netherlands, and later settled here several groups, such as the second generation of freed slaves or descendants of people who migrated from Indonesia. Therefore, there are several religions, and beliefs of citizens are divided between Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and traditional indigenous religions.
In this country, in the city of Paramaribo, we can find something that is only seen in another city in the world, in Sofia. Here we can find a mosque that is next to a synagogue, a fact more than unusual, and therefore both works as both religions share the main square of the city. Nearby, we also visit other religious establishments, as several Hindu temples. This city also houses the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, built on the ruins of a theater, a cathedral that has more than 114 years.
For the variety of cultures and traditions of peoples living in the country, there are many local festivals. The Holi Phagwa is celebrated on March 11, and Keti Koti, Emancipation Day, celebrating the 1st of July, the end of slavery. 8 and August 9 are held on the Day of Indigenous Peoples and the Day of Arrival of people from Java, two colorful festivals. The most unusual are those festivals that celebrate the arrival of the first ships of other countries, such as boats Indians, Javanese and Chinese, to the island.
We recommend visiting the country during the New Year holidays, the Jaar Oud. The country is filled with thousands of fireworks and pay, some traditional red firecrackers. The largest malls are organizing the annual parade, where each school has the largest and most beautiful fireworks they could find. All day and night dances are held, and the streets are filled with food, drink and music.
One of the country’s biggest attractions is its rich biodiversity. Here we have part of the vast Amazon rainforest, south of the country. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is filled with thousands of species of plants and animals. It also highlights the Brownsberg Natural Park, next to the Reserve Brokopondo. Here, in the middle of one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, is the Island Tonka, which promotes eco-tourism.
The country, known for its variety of flora and fauna, has some places worth seeing. Raleighvallen highlights a series of waterfalls on the River Coppename, or cataracts Wonotobo Blanche and Marie. In the Tafelberg, Nature Reserve can be found Tafelberg Mountain.
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