Key Facts about Suriname

News: Indian External Affairs Minister reviewed the full spectrum of India-Suriname relations during the 9th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in the capital city of Paramaribo.

Key Facts about Suriname

• Location: Suriname is a country in northern South America located slightly north of the equator on the Guiana Shield.
• It is also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies.
• Unique feature: Over 90% of its territory is covered by rainforest, the highest proportion of forest cover in the world.
• Boundaries: Suriname is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west.
• Size and population: It is the smallest country in South America by both population and territory, with around 612,985 inhabitants in 2021 in an area of approximately 165,940 sq. km.
• Capital: The capital and largest city is Paramaribo, which is home to roughly half the population.
  • It was inscribed on the list as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its outstanding collection of Dutch colonial architecture.
• Climate: Suriname has a tropical climate, with a large and small rainy season, as well as a large and small dry season.
• Rivers: The major rivers include the Corantijn (bordering Guyana), Marowijne (bordering French Guiana), Coppename, Suriname, Saramacca, Commewijne, and Nickerie rivers.
• Mountains: The two main mountain ranges are the Bakhuys Mountains and the Van Asch Van Wijck Mountains.
• Highest peak: Julianatop is the highest mountain in the country at 1,286 m.
• International cooperation: Suriname is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of American States.