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SURINAME: NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

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Published 3 months ago
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SURINAME: NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Mon, 09/05/2022 - 15:17
Posted in:
 * Natural Landscape

Suriname is located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America and is
its smallest sovereign state. The geography of Suriname consists of rainforests,
savanna, and coastal swamps. Its forest cover is approximately 90%, the highest
of any nation in the world.




GEOGRAPHY OF SURINAME

Suriname is located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America and is
bordered by Guyana to the west, French Guiana to the east, and Brazil to the
south. Its coastline with the Atlantic Ocean in the north extends approximately
386 km (239 mi).

Suriname is South America's smallest sovereign state, at just under 165,000 sq
km (64,000 sq mi). The country is predominantly covered by tropical rainforests.



Formerly "Dutch Guiana," Suriname is a part of the region known as "The Guianas"
which also includes Guyana and French Guiana.

Suriname is sometimes considered part of the "Caribbean South America"
subregion, along with the other Caribbean Sea boundary nations and territories
of South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and French Guiana, because the
United Nations granted them an area of the sea.

On the other hand, because the country's official language is Dutch, Suriname is
sometimes not considered a "truly Latin American" country.

The capital city, Paramaribo, is the main urban area. The city accounts for
nearly half of the country's population and most of its urban residents. Most
municipalities are located within the capital's metropolitan area or along the
densely populated coastline.



Suriname ranks 42nd in the world in terms of biodiversity, providing a habitat
for approximately 696 bird species, 114 amphibian species, 207 fish species, 156
mammal species, 156 reptile species, and 5,100 vascular plant species.

At approximately 15 million ha (37 million acres), Suriname's forest cover is
approximately 90%, the highest of any nation in the world.

Suriname has a tropical climate and temperatures do not vary much throughout the
year. There are two wet seasons: from December to early February and from late
April to mid-August.

Map depicting the countries on the continent of South America

BORDER DISPUTES

Suriname is involved in territorial disputes with both Guyana and French Guiana.
Its maritime boundary with Guyana has long been disputed as well.

Suriname claims about 15,000 sq km (5,800 sq mi) between two tributaries of the
Courantyne River in southern Guyana and it also claims approximately 13,000 sq
km (5,000 sq mi) between the Litani and Maroni rivers in the southwest corner of
French Guiana.

Map of Suriname illustrating disputed border territories


THE NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE OF SURINAME


GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS

The geographic landscape of Suriname consists of rainforests, savanna, coastal
swamps, and the two main mountain ranges: the Bakhuis and Van Asch Van Wijck
Mountains.

The country is situated on the Guiana Shield, one of the three cratons of the
South American Plate. It can be divided into two main geographic regions:

 * the northern, lowland coastal plain

 * the southern, tropical rainforest and savanna along the border with Brazil

NORTHERN COASTAL PLAIN

The coastal plain is flat and sometimes as much as 1.5 m (5 ft) below sea level,
necessitating a system of sea defenses. The soils of the coastal plain are
relatively fertile.

The narrow coastal zone, approximately 386 km (239 mi) in width, consists of
sandbanks and mudbanks. This sediment was deposited by the southern equatorial
currents from the area surrounding the mouth of the Amazon River, which is
located on the Brazilian coast to the south.



Further inland and south of the mudbanks, the "New Coastal Plain" begins, which
was also formed from sand and clay from the mouth of the Amazon. This region
consists of clay swampland in which peat has formed and is traversed by sandy
ridges that run parallel to the coast.

South of the New Coastal Plain is the "Old Coastal Plain" which consists mostly
of fine clays and sands. This Old Coastal Plain contains a variety of
topographies, including old ridges, clay flats, and swamps.

SOUTHERN RAINFOREST AND SAVANNA

South of the Old Coastal Plain is a forest belt, 48 - 72 km (30 - 45 mi) wide,
interspersed with grassy savannas.

In the southwest, near the Brazilian border, lies the Sipaliwini Plain which is
another savanna area.

Even farther to the south, bordering Brazil is an area consisting largely of a
central mountain range along with its various branches and scattered hilly
areas. A vast tropical rainforest covers these highlands.

PROTECTED AREAS

In the upper Coppename River watershed, the Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, cited for its unspoiled rainforest biodiversity.

CIA Map of Suriname


BODIES OF WATER

RIVERS

Suriname's principal rivers flow northward into the Atlantic Ocean. They
include:

 * Courantyne River: forms part of the border with Guyana in the west

 * Lawa River / Maroni (Marowijne) River: forms part of the border with French
   Guiana in the east

 * Tapanahoni (Tapanahony) River

 * Coppename River

 * Saramacca River

 * Nickerie River

 * Commewijne River

 * Suriname River

LAKES

 * Brokopondo Reservoir

 * Bigi Pan Lagoon


LANDFORMS

MOUNTAINS

Juliana Top, located in the Wilhelmina Mountains, is the highest mountain in the
country at 1,280 m (4,199 ft) asl. The main mountain ranges in Suriname include:

 * Bakhuis Mountains

 * Van Asch Van Wijck Mountains

 * De Hann and Wilhelmina Mountains

Map depicting the topography of Suriname


NATURAL REGIONS

ECOLOGICAL REGIONS

Suriname is situated in the Neotropical realm. Ecoregions are classified by
biome type - the major global plant communities determined by rainfall and
climate. The country contains six terrestrial ecoregions.

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests:

 * Guianan Highlands moist forests

 * Guianan moist forests

 * Paramaribo swamp forests

 * Tepuis

Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands:

 * Guianan savanna

Mangroves:

 * Guianan mangroves

Suriname regions map


TAGS

 * Suriname
 * South America
 * Landforms of Suriname
 * Biomes / Ecosystems of Suriname
 * Bodies of Water of Suriname
 * Ecoregions of Suriname


NATURAL LANDSCAPE BY COUNTRY

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Honduras: Natural and Geographic Landscape
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Mexico: Natural and Geographic Landscape
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Suriname: Natural and Geographic Landscape
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The Caribbean: Natural and Geographic Landscape
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Uruguay: Natural and Geographic Landscape
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Venezuela: Natural and Geographic Landscape




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