Suriname Geography
What is the terrain and geography like in Suriname?
Overview
Suriname lies on the northeast coast of South America, bordered by French Guiana in the east, Brazil in the south, and by Guyana in the west. Most of the country's 220-mile shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean consists of mud flats and mangrove swamp. Parts of Suriname's boundaries with French Guiana and Guyana are in dispute.Suriname has a land area of 63,000 square miles (163,000 sq. km.). Most Surinamers, however, live in the 1,900-square-mile narrow coastal plain about 50 KM wide in and around the major population centers of Paramaribo (250,000), Moengo and Nieuw Nickerie (38,000).
Suriname's coastal area is mostly flat. Hills and low mountains reach a maximum height of about 4,000 feet (1,230 meters) in the heavily forested interior. Between these two zones lie the savanna lands, 30-40 miles wide. Large rivers and streams flow through Suriname from south to north, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Although they provide major transportation routes between the coast and the interior, the number of rivers has proved a historical hindrance to east-west land transportation.
Geography - note
smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast
Climate
Suriname's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo average 75°F to 90°F. Temperatures in the interior, not moderated by the steady coastal breezes, are generally higher.Seasons are distinguished mainly by more or less rain, with annual rainfall averaging 87 inches. Indeed, locals will tell you that the four seasons of Suriname are: 1) Little Rainy Season (December to February); 2) Little Dry Season (March to April); 3) Big Rainy Season (May to August); and Big Dry Season (September to November). The hottest months of the year are September and October when temperatures average 90 �F (32 �C). Suriname lies outside hurricane and earthquake zones. Parts of Paramaribo experience heavy flooding. Isolated flooding occurs on some city streets and in low-lying areas of Paramaribo for up to 24 hours at a time.
Suriname Use of Natural Resources
Suriname Environment
Climate:
Suriname's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo average 75°F to 90°F. Temperatures in the interior, not moderated by the steady coastal breezes, are generally higher.Seasons are distinguished mainly by more or less rain, with annual rainfall averaging 87 inches. Indeed, locals will tell you that the four seasons of Suriname are: 1) Little Rainy Season (December to February); 2) Little Dry Season (March to April); 3) Big Rainy Season (May to August); and Big Dry Season (September to November). The hottest months of the year are September and October when temperatures average 90 �F (32 �C). Suriname lies outside hurricane and earthquake zones. Parts of Paramaribo experience heavy flooding. Isolated flooding occurs on some city streets and in low-lying areas of Paramaribo for up to 24 hours at a time.
Terrain:
mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
Natural Resources:
timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
Natural Hazards:
NA
Irrigated Land:
197 Square Miles511 Square Kilometers
Environmental Issues:
deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
Environment - International Agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreementsSuriname Geography
| Geographic Location | South America |
| Total Area |
63,251 Square Miles 163,820 Square Kilometers |
| Land Area |
60,232 Square Miles 156,000 Square Kilometers |
| Water Area |
3,019 Square Miles 7,820 Square Kilometers |
| Land Boundaries |
1,058 Miles 1,703 Kilometers |
| Irrigated Land |
197 Square Miles 511 Square Kilometers |
| Border Countries | Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km |
| Coastline |
240 Miles 386 Kilometers |
| Geographic Coordinates | 4 00 N, 56 00 W |
| Terrain | mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps |
| Highest Point | 1,230 Meters |
| Highest Point Location | Juliana Top 1,230 m |
| Lowest Point | -2 Meters |
| Lowest Point Location | unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m |
| Natural Resources | timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore |
| Time Zone | UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |