Suriname Geography Profile 2012

Suriname, or Surinam, a country in South America. Formerly, as a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it was also called Dutch Guiana. It lies at the northern edge of the continent, facing the Atlantic Ocean, and is bordered by Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. Suriname extends about 250 miles (400 km) inland and measures about the same east and west. The area is 63,037 square miles (163,265 km 2 ).

Along the coast and extending 10 to 50 miles (16 to 80 km) inland is a low, often swampy plain. Beyond, on somewhat higher land, is a narrow region of savanna that blends gradually into the dense equatorial forest covering the remainder of Suriname. Much of the interior is occupied by the low, rounded mountain ranges of the Guiana Highlands. Here, in the Wilhelmina Mountains, is Suriname's highest elevation, 4,200 feet (1,280 m).

Many rivers flow from the highlands to the Atlantic Ocean. The larger streams—such as the Corantijn, Coppename, and Suriname—have wide, deep estuaries. Inland, where the rivers are swift-flowing and broken by rapids and falls, Suriname's great waterpower potential is beginning to be tapped by such projects as the Afobaka Dam on the Suriname River.

The climate is tropical, with high humidity and temperatures that vary only slightly from daily highs of about 88 F. (31 C.) and lows near 72 F. (22 C.). Rainfall is heaviest from April through July; it totals 70 to 90 inches (1,780 to 2,290 mm) annually.