Suriname

Suriname, located on South America’s northeastern Atlantic coast, occupies an area of 165,000 square km and houses a population of 566,000. Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana border Suriname. The country has the fifth highest GDP per capita among the South American nation at $15,179 USD. The country, however, ranks 11 among the 12 countries of the continent in terms of GDP (PPP).

The bauxite industry dominates Suriname’s economy and accounts for 15% of the country’s GDP and 70% of the export revenue. Shrimp, bananas, and rice are the other major exports of Suriname. The country also has significant oil and gold reserves which are still underexploited.