Present-day Suriname has been the home to…

Present-day Suriname has been the home to many distinct indigenous cultures.

The largest tribes were the Arawaks, a nomadic coastal tribe that lived from hunting and fishing, and the Caribs.

The Arawaks (Kali'na) were the first inhabitants of Suriname; later, the Caribs arrived, and conquered the Arawaks using their sailing ships.

They settled in Galibi (Kupali Yumï, meaning "tree of the forefathers") on the mouth of the Marowijne river.

While the larger Arawak and Carib tribes live off the coast and savanna, smaller groups of indigenous peoples live in the rainforest inland, such as the Akurio, Trió, Wayarekule, Warrau, and Wayana.

The first Europeans who came to Suriname were Dutch traders who visited the area along with other parts of the South America's 'Wild Coast.'

The first attempts to settle the area by Europeans is in 1630, when English settlers led by one Captain Marshall attempt to found a colony.

They cultivate crops of tobacco, but the venture fails financially.