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America -
Suriname
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Deep in the jungles of South America, the culture of escaped slaves has been preserved for over three centuries. But their unique heritage is now being threatened by developers.
View Sell Off - Surinam. Video hosted on Youtube. The former Dutch colony of Surinam is home to the largest undisturbed expanse of tropical rainforest and the highest number of ethnic groups in the world. "You have the indigenous people, the bushnegroe cultures. It's a unique and wonderful mix that is not found anywhere else," explains Russel Mittermeier from Conservation International But with 70% of the population living below the poverty line, the government is considering selling forest land to developers. "Our government has put our forest out for sale," laments resident Cornelly Olivera. But indigenous people see themselves as the legal owners of the forests and are determined to fight all developments.
It's not always easy to get around this river-heavy, forest-dense country, and the mix of languages can make it hard to communicate. But, with a little perseverance, travelers will be richly rewarded as they stroll the streets of gorgeous Paramaribo or watch giant turtles emerge from the sea.
Suriname's dry seasons, from early February to late April and from mid-August to early December, are the best times for a visit. From March to July, several species of sea turtles come ashore to nest at Wia Wia and Galibi reserves - truly a sight to behold. Most travelers visit July through August, when prices slightly inflate.
9From: Journeymanpictures)
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