“You know, it’s funny,” I remarked to my friend Leonardo.
“I’ve met people from all over the rest of South America, but I’ve never met anyone from Guyana, Suriname or French Guiana.
“Maybe they don’t travel outside their countries.”
Leonardo looked at me and smiled.
“That’s because those countries are not in South America,” he replied confidently.
There was a short pause.
“I’m sorry?” I ventured.
“It’s because they’re not in South America. Those countries are islands,” my friend continued.
Now, this is a smart guy with a very good job, so I thought I would have a little fun. I asked him to draw a map of South America. He complied – guessing something was amiss – and, sure enough, the Guyanas appeared as three little islands off the coast.
I drew my own map. (I’ll admit, I had the advantage. I’m a South America geek, always studying the map to plan my next trip. But still, I wasn’t born and raised here.)
We compared sketches and laughed. He had drawn Bolivia above Peru, complete with a coast (if only). Uruguay was in the wrong place and was suddenly as big as Argentina. Peru, by contrast, was tiny.
These are easy mistakes to make (Personally, I sometimes forget the location of Germany) but I started to become worried when Leonardo refused to believe the Guyanas were part of the mainland. He eventually had to pull out his touch-screen BlackBerry and check an online atlas.
The following day I asked seven more friends – all smart, professional people – to draw me their own maps.
“I’ve forgotten the name of those three little countries. I think one of them is called Suriname,” my friend Anita groaned.
She wasn’t the only one with that problem. Two of the maps missed all three countries completely – stretching the nation of Venezuela until it reached all the way to the east coast.
(Other amusing mistakes included forgetting the existence of Ecuador and/or Bolivia completely, Argentina suddenly becoming smaller than both Paraguay and Uruguay and Chile moving to the wrong side of the continent. But hey, like I said, the location of Germany frequently befuddles me)
Still, again, one friend tried to tell me my three little countries were “not part of the continent”. Another insisted: “You know Vicki, they’re not actually real countries”.
Well, my friends, I would like to welcome you to the first (and probably only) post from my new campaign: French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana ARE South American. It will be called FGSGASA for short. (Yes, I am aware that could also stand for For God’s Sake Get A Sodding Atlas)
I would like to say this:
1) Guyana is definitely a real country. It’s a republic and, okay, so culturally it might belong more to the Caribbean than the rest of mainland South America – but the fact is, it’s here, it’s bigger than Uruguay and it deserves its place on any map we draw.
Interesting fact: Guyana won independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 – the first (and only) year that England’s footballers managed to win the World Cup.
2) Suriname is definitely a real country – even though it’s the smallest one in South America. It has its own airline and its very own UNESCO World Heritage Site in the form of its central nature reserve.
Interesting fact: The people of Suriname are brilliant at languages, so much so they frequently can’t decide on their national language and even considered choosing English or Spanish for trade reasons. You’ll find Dutch, a creole language called Sranan and even Hindi… with a smattering of Javanese and Portuguese thrown in.
3) French Guiana is, okay, an outpost of France. BUT although it uses the Euro and is part of the EU… blah, blah… it does have its own flag… and, yes, you know what I’m going to say… it is actually here so, yes, it definitely does deserve its place on any map we draw.
Interesting fact: Even though only about 250,000 people live in French Guiana, the place has its own space station which has launched several rockets into the outer reaches.
So there you go. Forget them at your peril.
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Enrique Franco
February 23, 2011
Hi Vicky, yes is true most of south american people forget those three countries, I did the same thing with some of my friends and I told them hey how many countries are there in south america?, and all of them told me 10, and ok are you sure?, and the answer was again the same, so I told them please tell me all south american countries, they started like Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and i told them hey, what about Guyana, Guyana Francesa and Suriname, and all of them was like ok, I did not realized that those countries are in south america too, so there are 13 countries in south america, don’t 10 as all people think.
What is the reason to forget or to skip those three countries?, I don’t know, just nobody realized that they are there in south america!
Armando
February 23, 2011
I am Colombian and even though I was aware of the geographical location of these three countries they are not considered part of latinamerica for the cultural reasons thatyou just exposed. If you asked me it would never crossmy mind to mention them. There mit be another reason for that….we never play against them in the World Cup qualifiers. They are not part of the Conmebol (thesouth american ewuivalent of Uefa). Only the 10 countries in southamerica are (col, ven, per, ecu, bol, chi,arg,uru,par,bra). I am sure citizens of these countries don’t call themselves southamericans (at least as we mean it).
Living here will astonish you as how culture sometimes decides over things that we consider facts. For example, ask any Colombian (or southamerican) howmany continents are there. I can bet you’ll think what a stupid question, everybody agrees there are X continents. You’ll be amazed as you engage in a dispute about something you took as a fact your whole life. And to counter your likely answer, in which continennt are Mex, Hon, Nic, El salvador, Costa rica, belize andpanama. Did you know that up until the early 1900′s panama was just another Colombian state? How would your answer to the placement of the above mentioned countries would be if i had asked 110 years ago? Cheers.
D
February 21, 2012
I am of guyanese descent and we refer to our selves as both Carribean and south american, Carribean due to the culture and language and south america Due to the geography (proximity to the amazon rain forest) and the large number of native american people residing in guyana in comparison to the rest of the carribean, its a similar concept of egypt and often they refer to themselves as arab and african, Latin america should be more welcoming to these nations as I believe they have been isolated despite the fact that both guyana and suriname are members of Union of South American Nations
andrew
February 23, 2012
i would agree with U an all the basis even to say we are the only ENGLISH speaking one the rest of the world tried to conquer who knows we would have ended up speaking spanish like the rest of them…..DUH and trust me we have a wealth of un hidden treasures called EL DORADO…!!!! i loved yur comparison to EGYPT…nice one….at least u learnt yur geography well in high school…
Dietmar
March 17, 2012
for latin countries welcoming hinduism and islam is (sadly/happily) unacceptable, plus remember brazilians had to learn spanish to integrate with the rest of countries, english is taught as second language in latin countries, why not spanish in yours?
Karen
February 21, 2012
You people are very ignorant. My parents are from Guyana and yes they do consider themselves to be South American, for crying out loud. There are Guyanesse people all over the United States. You Guys need to be more educated.
SapodillaPru
February 21, 2012
I am an overseas based Guyanese and always refer to myself as Guyanese/South American. Yes we identify more with the Caribbean islands, yet we never neglect to say we are South Americans. I am sure I speak on behalf of most Guyanese. We know who we are.
NotEvenD
February 22, 2012
Because they don’t speak Spanish.
Orlane Stewenson
July 8, 2012
Or portuguese
Alexander C
February 23, 2011
I think that these these countries are unknown for most South Americans because they do not play in the South American football world cup qualifiers, as simple as that.
bananaskinflipflops
February 26, 2011
A lot of my friends said this too. Isn’t that typical of our world? Oh, you don’t play prominent football? Oh sorry, you don’t exist!
Paolo
February 23, 2011
He he he… Nice post! I have trouble remembering the names of those countries myself, from time to time, Suriname being the easiest…
Emma P
February 23, 2011
Guyana is a real place, my brother went there and spent a week festering in the jungle. Its capital, Georgetown, has a major suburb called Kitty, which is only really amusing to me and my friend Kitty. Thanks for the geography lesson!
bananaskinflipflops
February 26, 2011
It’s amused me too! Although tell Kitty… if she thinks that’s bad, trying living in a country where your name means ‘conquest’.
Clay
February 23, 2011
As someone living in Suriname I can confirm that Suriname is indeed a real country! We are probably one of the least known countries in the world, so it’s always nice to read that at least some people know we exist
.
bananaskinflipflops
February 26, 2011
I have learned more about these two countries and one territory in a week than I ever thought possible… I’ve got everyone in on the act… now I really want to visit them so any tourist advice you have would be much appreciated!
Alma Viviana Silva
February 23, 2011
No tenia ni idea que la Guyana era mas grande que Uruguay. Gracias por la clase de geografia!!
No se si estare equivocada pero creo que ellos no estan dentro de los paises del MERCOSUR y por eso debemos tener visa para viajar a estos sitios asi como para Aruba y otras de las antillas.
They are no part of the MERCOSUR. http://www.otrosenred.com.ar/nota_completa.php?idnota=102
It is a pity!
jabba
February 28, 2011
You’ve never met anyone from those places because they all live in New York.
Adasia
March 18, 2012
Lol funny, this so true
Jon
March 5, 2011
Im Guyanese. Since I live in a country called Guyana, Guyana does exist! Travelled to a few places and everytime I tell people where I’m from either they dont know what I’m talking about or think I’m from Ghana, French Guiana, Guinea or space. I even met a guy from Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Panama and noone knew what the hell Guyana is or where it is.
Im South American by geography but West Indian by culture. Even Suriname tends to incline towards the Caribbean. (Surinamese are really good with languages according to the blogger)
Because Guyana is in the contradictory position that it is and doesnt have much press, it hardly heard of or mentioned.
As a result we have much preserved culture from Indo, Afro, Portuguese, Chinese, Native Indian and mixed Guyanese. In addition to one of the world’s largest untouched pristine rainforests.
If noone knows about us, thats okay, but hey at least we can preserve our society as well as natural wealth from external forces.
Bibi Zorina Khan
February 21, 2012
I to am Guyanese, since I was born in British Guiana (now called Republc of Guyana). I now live in the U.S.A. but my roots go way back to Guyana, and although my ancestors came from India, I love my Guyana, and all my roots are there; Land of Many Waters as it was called, and our people live peacefully with everyone, including our neighbors. Long Live Guyana! Bibi Zorina Khan.
Crisspe
March 28, 2011
I’ve always remembered them, but if you ask me which one is more to the east, which one is on the centre, and which one more to the west… ahi si me rajas! I must admit my map would have been all out of scale too!
Lindsay
March 31, 2011
That’s a very interesting topic. Coming from French Guiana but living in the UK, I know that it sometimes very hard to explain where I’m coming from. People usually think that I mean Ghana or Guinea. It’s so hard to make them realise that even though French Guiana is not located in France, it is still part of it: it is an overseas region of France. So basically if you’re saying to someone that you are going to France, you need to precise where exactly because you could mean the Metropolitan France or its overseas regions. What’s even worse is that there is so many French people (living in the Metropolitan France) who don’t even know where French Guiana is!!!
bananaskinflipflops
March 31, 2011
That’s interesting about “going to France”… thanks Lindsay… Do you think people in French Guiana would want to be independent? Or do they prefer to be an overseas territory?
Lindsay
March 31, 2011
Well I am not sure people in French Guiana would want to be independent… They truly consider themselves as being “French” and they think that there wouldn’t be much interest for them to be independent… obviously you would meet some persons there who would tell you otherwise… Remember French Guiana is an overseas region (or departments) and not an overseas territory which is completely different.
Jon
April 10, 2011
Never met anyone from Fr. Guiana before. Seems u guys are the hardest to run into, out of guyanese, surinamese and fr. guianese
Orlane Stewenson
July 8, 2012
Yes, I can confirm your answer. I knew this problem too. When I went to London, it was hard for me to explain where I am coming from. Lol and yes, some French people (living in Metropolitan France) doesn’t even know where French Guiana is. It’s sad because as you say, we are a part of European Union, we have the same money, same French president, our own space station, 2 now! European space station and russian Space station, we are the only French spoken too… People who lives in Metropolitan France think that French Guiana is in west indies like Martinique,Guadeloupe. But we are in South America, even if it’s the smallest country in South America! But, yes, our culture is more similar to west Indian countries but we have so many différents cultures in there! Most of French Guyaneses at least Speak 2 differents languages. The official language is French, but à number of other local languages exist, include French Guiana creole (similar to Martinique, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe créole), 6 amerindian languages, 4 maroon dialects ( you Will find them in Surinam too), as well as Hmong language, portuguese spoken because we have many Braslian here that’s mean that you can find many mixed Brasilian/créole here, Hakka from southern china because we have a lot of Chinese here and many mixed Chinese/créole, Haitian créole, spanish (dominican republic, colombian, peruvian), dutch from Surinam and english from Guyana.
I confirm, we are French Guiana, Surinam and Guyana are in South America!!! Lol
P.S: sorry for my english, I hope you understand…
Helen
November 27, 2011
Oh my goodness, THANK YOU for this article!! I’ve seen these places on countless maps but no one seems to have ever heard of them or know they exist, so I started to wonder whether they were actual countries or part of European nations still (so I got 1/3 right I guess!).
Why do we never hear about them? Why are they so obscure? I can understand why people in other continents know nothing, but people in South American should know they exist! It’s so bizarre…. So, thank you again!
bananaskinflipflops
November 29, 2011
Hey, thank you! I know, it’s terrible. I went to the jungle/mountains on the Guyana border this summer (on a Venezuela trip) and our guide was from Guyana. He told me no-one knows about them because they’re “pretty chilled, pretty small, not going to bother anyone” – really made me laugh. But still, they do exist contrary to what some of their Latin neighbours will tell you!
elsa rudge
December 18, 2011
I was born in Suriname, South America. I have travelled all over the world(being a US soldier) and yes, most people don’t know where my country is. First thing I say is that it is in South America, yet people suggest it to be in Africa. LMAO. Hello? South America! Brasil…..ooh…. Anyways, yes we exist. Come take a look!!
nalini orie
February 4, 2012
wow wow wow. Suriname does exist. And is one of the most beautiful, safest, countries in the world. Want to learm more? Please look it up. Wikipedia has a nice article. And facebook pictures. Add sranan mi lobi yu
Mellisa
February 21, 2012
Hey,
well i am From Guyana. and i moved to the U.S couple years back. and it is true, most people did not know Where Guyana was located, i had to tell them it was by Brazil and Venezuela. i found it pretty instresting and funny about what you said to how your friendds reacted to your question.
Kaamila
February 21, 2012
I am Guyanese and no we do not have to play football or speak spanish or to have Latin culture to be there. I have always known all the countries in South America, because I read, so for my fellow South Americans that this fact escaped, educate yourself and stop this total lack of respect and frankly embarrassment to yourselves.
Rosie Kalika
February 21, 2012
I am Guyanese and have been living in the US for over 20 years. I have to agree that most people don’t know where Guyana when I tell them where I was born – they tend to think I said Ghana. I have to explain that it’s in South America, but then they think I am Latin American and speak spanish. I have to further explain the history and location and tell them that we consider ourselves from the Carribean (West Indies). Sometimes, it’s just easier to just say I am from the Carribean, because this most accurately describes our culture and causes less confusion.
Banks Beer
February 21, 2012
People just have to read and realize the world around them is bigger then they think. One of the main reasons for this is because of language. Guyana is the only English speaking country, Suriname the only Dutch speaking, and French Guiana the only French speaking countries in South America.With the exception of French Guiana which is a overseas department, Guyana and Suriname are independent countries with historical backgrounds.
VonM
February 21, 2012
Ha cool post. Thanks for mentioning us. I’m a Guyanese woman born and raised living in NY, married to a Uruguayan, and when we first met it was hilarious to hear how little he knows about Guyana, besides it being next to Venezuela. Some more cool facts about Guyana: the fabled city of “El Dorado” was in Guyana, The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was written after his trip to Guyana, and he noted Guyana’s untouched natural environment as his inspiration, Guyana is called the land of 6 people bc of its very diverse population (Indian, Black, Asian, Portuguese, Amerindian, mixed race), and slavery was outlawed in Guyana in 1834.
Cool documentaries on Guyana: Jeff Corwin explores Guyana on the Discovery Channel: http://player.discoveryeducation.com/views/hh_httpView.cfm?guidAssetId=ef7b2253-7ad5-4b1a-aa48-9ecbd68b66c5
BBC does a series on the Guyanese Rain Forest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYogLcSsQ34
Odetta
February 21, 2012
Luv luv my Guyana. Can’t wait for another trip there.
It’s so culturally diverse n rich in natural minerals, boosting the highest single beautiful drop waterfall
Dear land of Guyana of rivers and ….
Saskia
February 21, 2012
nowadays most people are from Guyana,Jamaica or Trinidad when i tell people where im from they know
Putance
February 21, 2012
As a guyanese I’ve met many people who has never even heard of Guyana, so I am not surprised, but we are on the map along with Suriname and French Guyana, so all you guys who want to act like we don’t exist get a map and learn your countries.
guyanaboy
February 21, 2012
OMG!! I cant believe Guyana is not that noticed!!!
People we EXIST!!
i am certain that in the years to come the world will recognize us, since we are a role model to climate change………..and we preserve our forests. which other countries do that?
Not happy to say this but, i think we were suppose to gain recognition adversely as a result of the plane crash that Guyana had early last year which was broadcasted at least on every news world-wide. most of the broadcast include reports like where Guyana is located n etc.
BTW, love the article!!!!
shout out to my neighbor counterparts of Suriname and French Guiana.
mzcerez
February 21, 2012
Awesome article. It’s a small world after all
Articles like these can connect us all and make us more savvy to geography and information.
I am a US Citizen living in Guyana. I am currently working on Geographic Information Systems in the regions mentioned in this article. Guyana is a very vast country with a gold rush like no other. Come and explore its natural beauty. You may find that it is soon going to be tagged the Gateway to South America.
The only English speaking country in South America with a perfect peak location. Come one, come all!
andrew
February 23, 2012
loved this…and hope u are having a blast…i wish i can return to enjoy the sun shine and fresh foods…!!!
Shane
February 21, 2012
To all yes we do live there. In Guyana we have the largest single drop falls in the world look it up and you will see.
bananaskinflipflops
February 21, 2012
Really? I went to Angel Falls in Venezuela last year (and put my toe into Guyana on the top of Roraima mountain) Do you have a bigger waterfall than Angel Falls? Where is it? I want to go! (or is AF in the disputed territory??)
Shana
February 22, 2012
It’s called Kaieteur Falls, located on the Potaro River.
GizL (@GizzelleL)
February 27, 2012
check out kaieteurpark.gov.gy
Lex Home
February 21, 2012
Yes we are here. I can’t wait to go home to Guyana for a visit. Living in America since I was 15yrs (its been 26 yrs now) I have enjoyed educating the people around me about my beautiful country Guyana. There is not one day that goes by that I do not mention something about Guyana from the littlest thing as eating sugar cake to being the only English speaking country in South America. Yeah I love my country………..See you in April 2012 to celebrate Easter and do some kite flying.
GuyaneseBabe
February 21, 2012
I AM GUYANESE AND YESSS….!! WE DO EXIST……!!! I currently live in CANADA…People check your maps pleasee…Thank You
Dr. Shelby Givens
February 22, 2012
With regards to French Guiana having their own Space Station, that is geographically correct, but in fact the Space Station in French Guiana (an overseas Department of France as is Martinique, Guadeloupe, etc) was established during the French Presidency of Charles de Gaulle as the European Space Station. Being that French Guiana is close to the Equator (shortest distance to outer space relative to rocketing) in was a practical alternative for the French and other Europeans to not be left out of the Space race which was from the 1960′s largely dominated by the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Shelby Givens PhD
Fasmwa
February 22, 2012
As a Surinamese person – Go to Amsterdam, Rotteram & Den Haag and you will find Surinamese People whom for the majority are passionate about there country! Famous People of Surinamese decent: Clarence Seedorf, Mario Melchiot, Nigel De Jong, Ryan Babel, Ruud Gulit, Frank Rijkard, Ernesto Hoost (K1 Chapmion), Remy Bonjaski, Desi Boutrse (Current President), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert & Anthony Nesty….
We Got Great Hospitality and Food ….Come Check it out during Christmas/End of Year…
seetaroath
February 22, 2012
In Guyana, Guyanese children study world geography and are mostly aware of the different countries on the globe so we are hardly likely to find people educated in Guyana having this problem about other countries of the world. The headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is located in the capital city of Georgetown, Guyana. For sporting fans, we not only excel at cricket, boxing, and track and field, but recently our rugby and football (soccer) teams have been making major headlines. Tourism in Guyana is at an all time high. Daily Kaieteur trips involve nature lovers from around the world, The Rupununi rodeo is the last original type rodeos, The rolling mountains/hills are pristine drwaing scientists from around the globe. Guyana has the largest fresh water fish in the world – the Arapaima, largest eagle – the harpy eagle, largest anteater in the world, the largest wooden structure in the world – the St. Georges Cathedral, the tallest single drop water falls in the world – the Kaieteur Falls, hundreds of rivers, creeks, and beautiful waterfalls – thus the name “Land of Many Waters”. We are the home of the jaguar, puma, and countless flora and fauna , some yet to be named and the hardest wood in the world – greenheart. We are also the home of purple hearts much loved in the Scandinavian countries. Check out at least one site: http://www.guyana-tourism.com/ ; http://www.iwokrama.org/wp/
seetaroath
February 22, 2012
Guyana – The only country in South America where the official language is English.
Roger
February 22, 2012
I am born Guyanese and I live in Toronto. Almost everyone I met know exactly where Guyana is and what we are about. South America Football has nothing to do with the fact that Guyana DOES EXIST..The reason why Guyana is not considered SA is because we are the only English speaking country in SA and culturally, we tends to be drawn in the Caribbean. Have you ever notice its mostly Caribbean and Guyana in ads? There has been numberous episodes on National Geographic etc. about Guyana. I think these people needs to get a little more aware of the countries as I am sure most Guyanese knows all the countries in SA..Thank You!
Dietmar
March 17, 2012
nice words, i’m in toronto and more than one guyanese and surinamese here has no idea of what is bolivia or paraguay
Dywayne
February 23, 2012
I like the fact that my Country Guyana remains a hidden Gem.
Shari
February 23, 2012
I am Guyanese who grew up in Suriname and spent summers in French Guiana. People ask where I’m from and I happily make them aware of Guyana being a country not an island. Suriname and French Guiana are countries as well. The rest of south america only know the Latin countries and Brazil whose language is Portuguese. So therefore the awareness is not keen.
susan
March 15, 2012
I’m travelling Latin America and on my way to Guyana and Surinam. I have to explain almost everybody, both people who live here and travellers, where those countries are. Amazing! They don’t seem to exist and nobody seems to go there…Cant wait to get there!
lablogotana
March 15, 2012
When I went to Venezuela all of the maps on tourist tat (keyrings, tshirts etc) included their ‘territorio en reclamo,’ ie Guyana. As one of my colleagues in London was originally from there, this presented a few problems when dealing with the Venezuelan students in her class…
Still, I used to think the Falklands were off the Scottish coast (why else would we be fighting over an island with such a non-latin name?) and that Colombia was in Eastern Europe (it ends in ‘ia’ like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Latvia, etc).
P
March 16, 2012
I am Guyanese, and my country does exist. Geographically in south america, culturally more Caribbean. But I tell people that I am south american, and I indentify myself very much as a lation american. Most latin americans I have met find it strange that we speak english, but they know where Guyana is.
And I have been to both Suriname and Fr. Guiana – they exist.
We’re not known because we don’t play football at the same level? Seriously??
Dietmar
March 17, 2012
your country chose to play in the concacaf and not in the conmebol, it is not your fault but your country have to embrace latin culture or it will remain isolated, people in jamaica and trinidad are learning spanish, why not in your country?
Dietmar
March 17, 2012
this comment is not gonna sound good but for latins these countries are not soucth americans for several reasons:
-they have hindu and muslim influence, latin countries are christian almost 100%
-they dont play “football”, the play “american socca”
-they do not speak SPANISH, good or bad they cannot expect to integrate to the rest of south america if they do not learn the main language of the continent
Angela Reeves
March 20, 2012
Dietmar, for your information we do learn spanish in school but our official language is ENGLISH. Why should playing football make you South American. You seem VERY ignorant. It just goes to show the educational quality of YOUR spanish speaking South American countries is not up to standard. ANYONE knows that culture does not give you a status as to which continent you belong but it the physical location of the country. So please educate your self!!!
Katt Mangini
July 4, 2012
They exist but thet are not real countries. Everyone know the only real countries in South America are just Argentina and Brazil, the rest are primitive tribes.
dutchguy79
July 4, 2012
Wow quiet a reaction, of course everybody knows what that the only not primitive tribe were the Incas (at least for South America). And their base was primarely not in Argetina nor Brazil. So please hold your pride in a more modest way, because it makes your country only look stupid.
AfuSensi
July 10, 2012
I am from Suriname.
And i also love my Guyanese and French guyanese brothers and sisters.
We have about a half million people living in Suriname.
Suriname is much more known in The Netherlands than in the rest of the world.
Also there are i think more than half a million surinamese people living in the netherlands.
Greetings from Suriname