Suriname: Geography

The World Factbook 1993: Suriname Geography

Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between French Guiana and Guyana

Area: total area: 163,270 km2 land area: 161,470 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries: total 1,707 km, Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Coastline: 386 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Natural resources: timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 97% other: 3%

Irrigated land: 590 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment: mostly tropical rain forest