<item><hi format=bold>International disputes:</hi> all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
<item><hi format=bold>Climate:</hi> tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
<item><hi format=bold>Terrain:</hi> mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
<item><hi format=bold>Natural resources:</hi> bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
<item><hi format=bold>Land use:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>arable land:</hi> 3%
<item>• <hi format=ital>permanent crops:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>meadows and pastures:</hi> 6%
<item>• <hi format=ital>forest and woodland:</hi> 83%
<item>• <hi format=ital>other:</hi> 8%
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Irrigated land:</hi> 1,300 sq km (1989 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>Environment:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>current issues:</hi> water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
<item>• <hi format=ital>natural hazards:</hi> flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons
<item>• <hi format=ital>international agreements:</hi> party to—Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratifed—Biodiversity, Climate Change