Climate
Tropical; moderated by trade winds; yearly rain average 2200 mm. There are 2 dry seasons February to March, August to November and 2 rainy seasons December to January, April to August. November is the generally the hottest month.
History
Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.
Terrain
Mostly rolling hills, rising towards maximum of around 1000 meters in the south; narrow coastal plain with mangrove swamps. Mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that is in excellent condition, though is increasingly threatened by new development.
Elevation extremes highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m