9781422286470

The Land 13

deposits. The soil in the region is very rich in quartz. It is also rich in bauxite , an ore used to manufacture aluminum. Suriname’s southern region is famous for its dense Amazonian rain forests. The natural vegetation here is composed primarily of tropical trees and plants. Occasionally, marshes extend outward from creeks and rivers that run through the rain forest. The southern region also includes a central mountain range with a few thickly forested hilly areas. The highest mountain peak, at 4,035 feet (1,230 meters), is Juliana Top. This peak is part of Suriname’s largest mountain range, the Wilhelmina Mountains. Major Waterways The region that includes the modern nations of Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana was once called Guiana, or “land of waters,” by the ancient Amerindians who lived there. The natives chose this name because of the many rivers and streams in this South American region. Suriname’s major rivers flow northward into the Atlantic Ocean. The Courantyne (or Corantijn) River forms part of Suriname’s boundary with Guyana. The Maroni (or Marowijne) River forms part of the nation’s border with French Guiana. The Coppename and Suriname are the other major rivers, and Suriname has many other streams and rivers flowing through it. The Climate Suriname has a tropical climate. The nation’s temperatures range from 73°F to 90°F (22°C to 32°C). The most brutal weather condition that the