People of Suriname

Population	470,784 (2007 estimate)
Population density	2.9 persons per sq km 7.5 persons per sq mi (2007 estimate)
Urban population distribution	77 percent (2005 estimate)
Rural population distribution	23 percent (2005 estimate)
Largest cities, with population	Paramaribo, 294,000 (2000 estimate) Lelydorp, 15,600 (1996 estimate) Nieuw Nickerie, 11,100 (1996 estimate)
Official language	Dutch
Chief religious affiliations	Roman Catholic, 23 percent Hindu, 18 percent Protestant (predominantly Moravian), 17 percent
Life expectancy	73.2 years (2007 estimate)
Infant mortality rate	20 deaths per 1,000 live births (2007 estimate)
Literacy rate	94.2 percent (2000)