Location:

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Area:

163,820 km² (land=156,000 km²; water=7,820 km²)

Coastline:

386 km

Climate:

Tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

Mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Highest Point:

Juliana Top 1,230 m

Natural Resources:

Timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore

Natural hazards:

Drought, Flooding

Environmental issues:

Deforestation, pollution of inland waterways by small scale mining activities

Population:

481, 267 (July 2009 est.)

Ethnic groups:

East Indian 37%, Creole 31 %; Javanese 15%, Black 10%, Amerinidian 2%, Other 5%

Languages:

Dutch , English (widely spoken), Taki-Taki, Hindi, Javanese