Paramaribo is the capital of the Republic of Suriname, a tiny country located in the northeast of South America. Arawak (Taino) Indians first settled Suriname’s coast around 3,000 years ago, followed by the Carib; other indigenous peoples headed inland to the dense rainforests. Dutch and English settlers arrived in the 16th century, producing sugarcane with slave labor brought from West Africa and later East India. Today’s inhabitants comprise a vibrant mix of these and other cultures including a large community of Maroons, descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped to the forests. Paramaribo’s colonial old town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its collection of mainly wooden buildings that fuse European architectural styles with Creole and other influences. Standouts include Fort Zeelandia, originally constructed by the French in 1640; the Presidential Palace (1730), built from stone with a wooden upper floor; and the gothic-rival St. Peter and Paul Cathedral (1885). Stroll through the Garden of Palms or Palmgardens, a public park landscaped with royal palms that is home to tropical birds and capuchin monkeys; or head to the nearby Galibi Nature Reserve, a famous nesting site for endangered sea turtles.