25th November: Suriname Independence Day

Today is Suriname Independence day - so here are ten things you might not know about Suriname.

1. In terms of both size and population, Suriname is the smallest country in South America.
2. It used to be a Dutch colony, and so the official language is Dutch.
3. It was previously known as Dutch Guyana.
4. Suriname is the only territory outside Europe where Dutch is spoken by a majority of the population. Another common language is Sranan, an English-based creole language, which is also widely spoken.
5. The capital and largest city is Paramaribo, where about 50% of the people live. Paramaribo is home to a cathedral which was once a theatre, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Paramaribo is one of the few capital cities world wide where there is a mosque adjacent to a synagogue. Not only that, but they share a car park.
6. Julianatop is the highest mountain in the country at 1,286 metres (4,219 ft) above sea level.
7. Suriname's biggest export is bauxite, which accounts for over 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Other major exports include Bananas, Shrimp and Rice.
8. The country is home to the Pica Pica toad, which has no tongue or teeth. It is unique in that the females keep their tadpoles in spongy skin on their backs until they become mini-toads.
9. The national dish is pom, which is made in a high sided dish with layers of the local tayer plant between layers of chicken pieces, and covered in a sauce made from Tomatoes, Onions, nutmeg and oil.
10. The Flag was adopted upon the independence of Suriname in November 1975. The star represents the unity of all ethnic groups, the Red stripe stands for progress and love, the Green for hope and fertility, and the White bands for peace and justice.
11. About 80% of Suriname is rainforest.

Check out my new novel - a tale written especially for Christmas!

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A Very Variant Christmas

Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.

The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?

Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.

Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.

Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.

Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.

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