Editing Suriname (section)

== Culture and society ==
Indigenous communities form the oldest known population groups in Suriname. Their history remains tied to river settlements and inland communities.

African-descended communities developed from the history of slavery and plantation labor. Maroon communities were formed by escaped enslaved people who established settlements in the interior.

Contract labor after abolition changed the population of the colony. Indian and Javanese communities became established in Suriname through this system.

Dutch colonial rule shaped the country's government, education system, and official language. Dutch remains the official language and is used in state administration.

Sranan Tongo is widely used as a common language between communities. It developed as a practical language across different groups in Surinamese society.