What is the terrain and geography like in Suriname?
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.
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.
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.
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 |
198 Square Miles 512 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) |