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Glite Dictionary
Netherlands Guiana

Netherlands Guiana

8.6
A former name for Suriname, a country in northeast South America
  • proper noun
translation icon : Guayana Neerlandesa
  • The region once known as Netherlands Guiana became Suriname after gaining independence in 1975.

Examples

  • Many historical maps still refer to Suriname as Netherlands Guiana.

  • In 1975, Netherlands Guiana became Suriname.

  • Dutch influence is still evident in the culture of what was formerly Netherlands Guiana.

  • Before independence, it was known as Netherlands Guiana.

  • Many historical maps still refer to Suriname as Netherlands Guiana.

  • The region once known as Netherlands Guiana became Suriname after gaining independence in 1975.

  • Dutch influence is still evident in the culture of what was formerly Netherlands Guiana.

Synonyms

Dutch Guiana
vsNetherlands Guiana
  • Literature
7.6

Former name for the country now called Suriname in northeastern South America when it was controlled by the Netherlands

is identical in meaning but uses a different national adjective form

Surface Forms

Netherlands Guiana main

Morphology

Netherlands + Guiana

This is a compositional place-name: 'Netherlands' modifies 'Guiana' to indicate the Guianan territory associated with the Netherlands (i.e., Dutch Guiana). Nation + region names are a regular, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reliably infer it refers to the Dutch-controlled Guiana (the former name for Suriname).

Etymology

Netherlands Guiana comes from when the Dutch ruled part of the Guiana coast in South America. It literally meant the Netherlands part of Guiana, and that's why the name was used for the area that later became 'Suriname' when it gained independence in 1975.