Suriname is a small country on the northeastern coast of South America. It’s known for its dense forests, diversity of cultures, and natural wonders. Let’s explore this fascinating country through some riddles!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
What is the only country in South America where Dutch is the official language?
Answer: Suriname
Riddle 2
About 90% of Suriname’s land area is covered by this ecosystem that contains very high levels of biodiversity.
Answer: Rainforest
Riddle 3
Suriname has around 315 km of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the north. What sea lies to the east of Suriname?
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean
Riddle 4
The mouths of which rivers form the border between Suriname and Guyana?
Answer: The Corantijn River and Coppename River
Riddle 5
Suriname has some mountainous regions in its southern area. What is the highest point in Suriname?
Answer: Julianatop at 1,230 meters (4,035 ft)
History & Culture Riddles
Riddle 6
Suriname was at times governed by Britain and the Netherlands. When did it finally gain independence?
Answer: 1975
Riddle 7
Suriname has a very ethnically diverse population. Which ethnic groups were brought from Africa and Asia to work on plantations during colonial times?
Answer: Africans and Javanese, Chinese, and Indian indentured workers
Riddle 8
What is the most popular sport in Suriname?
Answer: Association football (soccer)
Riddle 9
Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname. In what year was Paramaribo designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Answer: 2002
Riddle 10
Surinamese cuisine features various cultural influences. What sour fruit is commonly used in dishes?
Answer: Tamarind
Wildlife Riddles
Riddle 11
The Guiana Shield region of northeastern South America including Suriname contains extremely high biodiversity. What rare and threatened animal found here is the largest living rodent species?
Answer: Capybara
Riddle 12
Suriname has Central and South America’s largest what?
Answer: Protected rainforest
Riddle 13
Name the colorful parrot that is Suriname’s national bird.
Answer: Ara
Riddle 14
The endangered leatherback sea turtle uses Suriname’s beaches for what?
Answer: Nesting/laying eggs
Riddle 15
In 2018, Conservation International identified a site with likely the highest level of fish diversity per area worldwide. Where was this biodiversity hotspot found?
Answer: Suriname (Kasikasima area)
Economy Riddles
Riddle 16
Historically, Suriname’s economy depended on exports of what natural resources found in the country’s rainforest lands?
Answer: Bauxite/Aluminum ore, gold, lumber products
Riddle 17
Suriname has fertility soil ideal for growing crops. Name a major agricultural export product.
Answer: Bananas, rice, citrus fruits, cocoa beans, vegetables, etc.
Riddle 18
High transportation costs hinder Suriname’s international exports. About 80-90% of people live in the northern coastal area near what important shipping lane?
Answer: The Suriname River
Riddle 19
Tourism is not yet a major component of Suriname’s economy. But Suriname does have the oldest nature reserve in the Guiana Shield. What is it named?
Answer: The Central Suriname Nature Reserve
Riddle 20
The Netherlands is Suriname’s most important trading partner. What currency is used in Suriname?
Answer: Surinamese dollar
Fun Facts Riddles
Riddle 21
About 90% of Suriname’s population lives in the northern coastal area, especially concentrated around the capital, Paramaribo. What percentage of Suriname is covered by rainforest?
Answer: Around 98 percent
Riddle 22
In 1954, a hoax article claimed a remote tribe living in Suriname had record longevity thanks to a special berry. Tourists unsuccessfully tried to find the mythical tribe. What was the imaginary tribe called?
Answer: The Tarahumara (or Tairona)
Riddle 23
The Dutch influenced colonial architecture found in UNESCO site Paramaribo features wooden structures without what building material commonly used in Europe?
Answer: Bricks (due to lack of stone and clay)
Riddle 24
Bauxite mining was important historically in Suriname. What mineral is bauxite the main source of?
Answer: Aluminum
Riddle 25
Many ethnic groups brought by colonizers as plantation workers formed tribal communities that still celebrate their roots today through events like what annual folk festival first held in 1949?
Answer: The Pasar Malam Besar festival in Paramaribo
Challenge Round Riddles
Riddle 26
I’m a historic 17th century British trading post located on the Suriname River that later became Suriname’s second largest city. What city am I?
Answer: Nieuw Nickerie
Riddle 27
We protected a rebel colony of formerly enslaved people fleeing captivity from plantations. In what mountainous jungle region did we build our community?
Answer: Saramacca Mountains
Riddle 28
I’m an Afro-Surinamese syncretic belief system that incorporates elements of Winti, obeah, and Christianity including dancing and drumming. What traditional practice am I?
Answer: Winti
Riddle 29
Pioneered around 1627, I’m an agricultural system integrating areas of crop cultivation with sections of forest allowed to regenerate soil fertility naturally. What sustainable land use method am I?
Answer: The slash-and-burn agriculture method
Riddle 30
We rebelled against the Dutch in 1986-1992 because we weren’t happy as the ethnic minority ruling Suriname after independence in 1975. What group organized the rebellion?
Answer: Surinamese Liberation Army (Bouterse and the military)
Random Riddles
Riddle 31
We are descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped from British plantations in Barbados and other Caribbean islands in the 1600s and established tribal communities in the rainforest. Who are we?
Answer: The Saramaka and other Maroons
Riddle 32
I’m a four-day walking festival in December commemorating the abolition of slavery in Suriname. Pilgrims in traditional wear walk about 65 km to the city of Paramaribo. What event am I?
Answer: The Aboikoni (road to freedom) festival
Riddle 33
We are names for ceramic artifacts decorated with geometric and anthropomorphic designs dated to around 1,500-1,000 BCE that have been found at archeological sites in Suriname. What are we called?
Answer: Aristé or Koriabo ceramics/pottery
Riddle 34
I’m an indigenous South American language isolate with only tens of speakers remaining. Efforts are underway to preserve me through recordings and an online talking dictionary. What language am I?
Answer: Arawak language
Riddle 35
We are small-scale gold miners who use makeshift barges to dredge riverbeds for deposits. Our activities damage rivers through pollution and sediment release. Who are we?
Answer: Pork knocker miners
Riddle 36
I’m an epic fantasy novel by Clark Ashton Smith written in 1930 featuring the fictional lost city of Kalomelc set in the jungles of Suriname. What story am I?
Answer: The Empire of the Necromancers
Riddle 37
In what mountainous southern region of Suriname would you find the Voltzberg and Wilhelmina geologic formations?
Answer: The Wilhelmina Mountains
Riddle 38
Founded in 1683, I’m one of the oldest Jewish communities and synagogues in the Americas located in Jodensavanne south of Paramaribo. What colonial settlement site was I built at?
Answer: Jewish Savannah
Riddle 39
Before clearly demarcating the border with French Guiana in 1891, Suriname briefly occupied territory near the Marowijne river under what de facto border?
Answer: The Calmont Line
Silly Riddles
Riddle 40
What do you call a three-handed Surinamese thief?
Answer: A para-thief! (Paramaribo thief)
Riddle 41
Why can’t you trust atoms from Suriname?
Answer: They make up everything!
Riddle 42
What do you call someone who always knows where to find parties in Suriname?
Answer: A para-linker! (Paramaribo party linker)
Riddle 43
Why did the Suriname toad cross the road?
Answer: To get to the other side!
Riddle 44
What do you call a Sleeping Beauty in Suriname?
Answer: A para-napping beauty! (Paramaribo napping)
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these riddles as a fun way to learn more about the unique country of Suriname! From rainforest ecosystems to colonial history to jokes, Suriname has so many fascinating facts hidden up its sleeves.
Here are a few final quick riddles to test your new knowledge before we go:
Riddle 45
What South American country has a big rainforest and Dutch colonial roots?
Answer: Suriname
Riddle 46
Where would you find the Central Suriname Nature Reserve?
Answer: Suriname
Riddle 47
What is Suriname’s national bird called?
Answer: The Ara
