What is the capital of Suriname?

The capital of Suriname is Paramaribo. It is also the country’s largest city and its principal center of government, commerce, and culture.

Paramaribo stands on the Suriname River, roughly 15 kilometers inland from the Atlantic coast. Its name is associated with the Paramaribo people who lived near the river’s mouth. European settlement developed there during the 17th century, and Dutch influence eventually made Paramaribo the leading town of the colony of Suriname. The city has remained the capital through Suriname’s independence in 1975.

Paramaribo is notable for its striking cultural and architectural diversity. Its historic inner city contains wooden colonial buildings, Fort Zeelandia, mosques, churches, and one of the oldest synagogues in the Americas. UNESCO recognized the historic inner city as a World Heritage Site in 2002. A common mix-up is choosing Georgetown, Cayenne, or Brasília: Georgetown is Guyana’s capital, Cayenne is French Guiana’s capital, and Brasília is Brazil’s capital. Paramaribo is the capital of the Dutch-speaking South American country of Suriname.