Suriname explained to kids

Suriname is a small country in South America, located on the northeastern coast. The country is bordered by Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and French Guiana to the east. The capital of Suriname is Paramaribo, and the official language is Dutch. The first people to live in Suriname were the Arawak and Carib Indians. The first Europeans to visit Suriname were the Spanish, who came in 1499. The Dutch settled in Suriname in 1630, and they remained there until 1975. During that time, Suriname was a Dutch colony. In 1975, Suriname became an independent country. The population of Suriname is about 575,000. Most of the people are of African or East Indian descent. The official religion is Christianity, but there is also a large Hindu population. Suriname is a tropical country with a hot, humid climate. The rainy season lasts from April to August. The country is mostly covered in rainforest. There are also many rivers and swamps. The economy of Suriname is based on agriculture, mining, and forestry. The main crops are rice, bananas, and sugarcane. Suriname also has reserves of oil, gold, and bauxite.