Physical Features of Suriname

Suriname (northeast South America) has three main physiographic regions:

1. Coastal Plain (North)

• Narrow (up to 30 km wide), low-lying, fertile clay/silt.
• Mangrove swamps, mudflats, and engineered polders (dikes, canals) for agriculture.
• Contains capital Paramaribo and most population.

2. Interior Rainforest (Central/South)

• Covers ~80% of land area (163,820 km² total).
• Part of the Guiana Shield; pristine tropical forest, high biodiversity.
• Rivers: Coppename, Saramacca, Suriname, Marowijne (Maroni), Corantijn.
• Indigenous (Trio, Wayana) and Maroon communities.

3. Highlands (Far South)

• Low mountains (Tumuc-Humac / Wilhelmina Mts) up to 1,280 m (Juliana Top).
• Headwaters of major rivers; gold/mineral deposits.

Climate & Resources

• Tropical: 27°C avg; rainy Dec–Apr, dry May–Nov.
• Resources: Bauxite, gold, oil (offshore), timber, hydro potential.