Suriname became a State Party to the World Heritage Convention in 1997. It is home to three World Heritage Sites. Suriname ranks 29th worldwide and 11th in Americas by number of World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.
Suriname as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention
State Party since: October 23, 1997
Status: Acceptance
Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: None
Total of Mandate Years: 0
Total of Mandates: 0
WHC Electoral Group: III (Latin America/Caribbean)
World Heritage Sites in Suriname (3)
Cultural: 2 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0
Map of World Heritage Sites
This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Suriname.
World Heritage Inscription Timeline
2000
Central Suriname Nature Reserve
2002
Historic Inner City of Paramaribo
2023
Jodensavanne Archaeological Site: Jodensavanne Settlement and Cassipora Creek Cemetery
Tentative World Heritage Sites
No tentative sites yet.
Country Profile Suriname
Official Name: Republic of Suriname
Continent: Americas
Subregion: South America
UNESCO Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
Capital: Paramaribo
Population (2024): 634,431
Land Area: 156,000 km²
Currency: Surinamese dollar (SRD)
Country Data Sources
About States Parties
States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention.
They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding
cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to
monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.
World Heritage Insights
How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List
The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.
World Heritage Info
Background
Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.
Suriname