Timeline of Suriname

Chronology

12 events spanning the history of Suriname. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1498

   Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Suriname.

   Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Suriname.

2. 1593

   Spanish explorers visit the area and name it Suriname.

   Spanish explorers visit the area and name it Suriname, after the country’s earliest inhabitants, the Surinen.

3. 1651

   First permanent European settlement in Suriname.

   First permanent European settlement in Suriname, established by the British at Paramaribo by Lord Francis Willoughby.

4. 1667

   British cede their part of Suriname to the Netherlands .

   British cede their part of Suriname to the Netherlands in exchange for New Amsterdam (later called New York City).

5. 1682

   Coffee and sugar cane plantations established and worked by African slaves.

   Coffee and sugar cane plantations established and worked by African slaves.

6. 1799 – 1802

   British rule reimposed.

   British rule reimposed.

7. 1804 – 1816

   British rule reimposed.

   British rule reimposed.

8. 1863

   Slavery abolished.

   Slavery abolished.

9. 1975

   Suriname becomes independent.

   Suriname becomes independent with Johan Ferrier as president and Henk Arron, of the Suriname National Party (NPS), as prime minister; more than a third of the population emigrate to the Netherlands.

10. 1985

    Ban on political parties lifted.

    Ban on political parties lifted.