Suriname

Suriname lies atop the South American continent between French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west and Brazil to the south.

Just so you know, the Dutch ended up with Suriname by trading it to the British for a little island called New Amsterdam (present day Manhattan Island in New York City.)

Suriname is the smallest country in South America both in terms of size and population -- but what a population! Suriname is the most extraordinary mix of peoples in all South America, a blend of the original Arawak and Carib peoples, Dutch, English, Africans brought over as slaves, laborers recruited from China and indentured workers from Indonesia and India.

There is much to see in this little visited country:

First, there is the fine Dutch colonial architecture in Paramaribo, the capital. The city is famous for its varied street life, Javanese peddlers, Maroons selling intricate wood carvings and Dutch Creoles swilling beer at sidewalk cafes.

The Brownsburg Reserve overlooking Brokopondo Reservoir with its steep canyons and beautiful waterfalls. The park abounds in birds and primates.

The Central Suriname Nature Reserve (formerly the Raleighvallen & Voltzberg) is a 3.9 million acre World Heritage Site, famous for its abundant birds, monkeys, stunning geological formations, incredible waterfalls and pristine forests.

If you go to Suriname, contact South American Explorers for an article about a trip to Suriname in search of family roots.

Also, don't forget to write trip reports! Suriname is very cool.