Paramaribo, May 21 (teleSUR-RHC)-- As Suriname prepares for its upcoming elections next week, hundreds of international observers and thousands of extra security personnel will travel to the small Caribbean nation to ensure the vote goes smoothly.

With a population of only 566,000 people, Suriname is South American's smallest sovereign nation and the only country in Latin America where Dutch is the dominant language (due to its colonial history).

Sandwiched between Guyana and French Guiana on the continent's north eastern coast, Suriname is easy to overlook, however over the next week the country will be flooded with foreigners aiding with its electoral process.

Most of the observers will be located in the country's capital Paramaribo, home to roughly half of the population – some 240,000 people. An estimated 2,700 extra security personnel are expected arrive to patrol the streets and guard the over 600 polling stations set up across the country for Monday's vote.

In addition to overseeing security and preventing electoral calamities, the soldiers will also provide information for voters on the electoral process and aid pollsters.

Hundreds of international observers are also scheduled to arrive, including delegations from regional blocs such as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), showing Suriname's importance to the Latin American and Caribbean region.