slaves and, later, Asian workers. Suriname
gained independence in 1975.
The military took over the government
in 1980. Suriname returned to a democratic
government in 1991.
..More to explore
Paramaribo
The Presidential Palace in Paramaribo, Suriname,
was built in the 1700s.
Facts About
SURINAME
Population
(2008 estimate)
516,000
Area
63,251 sq mi
(163,820 sq km)
Capital
Paramaribo
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Paramaribo, Lelydorp,
Nieuw
Nickerie, Mungo
(Moengo),
Meerzorg
208 Suriname BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Suva
Suva is the capital of Fiji, an island
country in the southern Pacific Ocean.
Suva is located on the southeastern coast
of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island.
Suva is one of the most modern cities in
the South Pacific. The University of the
South Pacific is near Suva. Suva also has
government buildings and the Fiji
Museum, which displays items from the
country’s history.
Suva’s harbor is a regular stop for ships
carrying goods across the Pacific Ocean.
Sugar and clothing are exported from
Suva. The city’s other economic activities
include tourism and some manufacturing,
including soapmaking.
Suva was founded in 1849. In 1874
Great Britain made Fiji a colony. The
British made Suva the capital in 1882.
In 1970 Fiji became an independent
country. Suva remained the capital.
#More to explore
Fiji
Swamp
A swamp is a type of wetland where
trees are common. Swamps are similar to
marshes because both have soils that are
rich in minerals. Marshes, however, have
grasses instead of trees.
Swamps are common in low-lying areas
near rivers, which supply the water.
Swamps also form on flat land along
seacoasts. The soil in a swamp is poorly
drained, which means that the water
flows through very slowly. The ground
becomes soaked. Shallow water often
covers the ground.
Swamps may have either freshwater or
salt water. The kinds of plants in a
swamp depend on the type of water.
Bald cypress, gum, willow, alder, maple,
and palm trees are common in freshwa-
Fiji’s lawmakers meet at the Parliament
House in Suva.
Bald cypress trees and azalea bushes grow
in the shallow water of a swamp.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Swamp 209
ter swamps. Saltwater swamps have few
plants because most plants cannot grow
in salt water. However, mangrove trees
thrive in saltwater swamps.
Swamps are often rich in wildlife. Alligators,
shrimps, crayfish, snakes, frogs,
snails, fish, and birds live in swamps.
#More to explore
Mangrove • Marsh •Wetland
Swan
Swans are waterbirds with heavy bodies
and long necks. They swim gracefully,
seeming to glide across the water. They
are also strong fliers. Along with ducks
and geese, swans belong to a family of
birds called waterfowl in North America
and wildfowl in Europe. Swans are the
largest and the least common of the
waterfowl.
Swans are found on or near water. Most
types migrate, or fly long distances to
spend different seasons in different
regions.
Five species, or types, of swan live in
the northern parts of Europe, Asia, or
North America. These are the mute
swan, the trumpeter swan, the whooper
swan, Bewick’s swan, and the whistling
or tundra swan. All five northern
species are white.
Three species of swan are found in
southern regions. The black swan lives
in Australia. Two types are found in
southern South America: the blacknecked
swan and the coscoroba.
Swans are among the larger flying birds.
The trumpeter swan is the largest waterfowl.
It can reach 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) in
length. The mute swan is also very large
and heavy.
Like the other waterfowl, swans have
webbed feet. This gives them extra paddling
power in the water.Waterfowl also
have a gland that makes oil. The oil
helps protect their feathers from water.
An inner layer of soft feathers called
down helps the birds stay warm.
Swans use their long necks to pluck
plants from below the surface of the
water. They also eat seeds, small water
creatures, and fish eggs.
Swans mate with the same partner each
year. The female lays about six eggs at a
time. The young of white swans usually
have darker feathers than their parents.
#More to explore
Bird • Duck • Goose • Migration,
Animal
Baby swans, called cygnets, ride on the
back of an adult mute swan.
210 Swan BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Swaziland
The small kingdom of Swaziland is one
of the few countries in Africa with a
ruling king. Swaziland has two main
capitals, Mbabane and Lobamba.
Swaziland is almost surrounded by
South Africa. On the east it has a short
border with Mozambique. The land
slopes down from highlands in the west
to lowlands in the east. Mountains rise
sharply in the far east.
Grasses and scattered shrubs cover most
of Swaziland. Pine and eucalyptus trees
grow in the west.
Antelopes, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses,
elephants, giraffes, and zebras live
mainly in protected parks. Swaziland’s
other animals include monkeys, jackals,
mongooses, crocodiles, and snakes.
The Swazi are the main people in Swaziland.
The Zulu and the Tsonga form
smaller groups. English and Swazi are
the main languages. Most of the population
is Christian. Most people live in the
countryside.
Many people work as farmers. Crops
