The reserve is part of the great Amazon rainforest that stretches across South America. Inside, ancient trees grow so tall that they block out the sunlight for smaller plants below. Rivers twist through the forest floor and waterfalls tumble down rocky hillsides. Because so few roads reach this area, much of it has never been explored by scientists.
Animals love it here. Jaguars pad quietly through the undergrowth, giant otters splash in the rivers, and tapirs — big pig-like animals with short trunks — munch on leaves by the water's edge. More than 400 species of bird live in the reserve, including the magnificent harpy eagle, which is as large as a small child!
The Coppename River runs right through the reserve, carrying cool, dark water from the highlands. People travel by canoe to reach the deepest parts of the forest, and some areas are protected so that almost no visitors are allowed. That keeps the animals safe and lets the forest stay wild.
Suriname is proud of this reserve because most of the country's rainforest is still standing. While many countries have cut their forests down, Suriname has kept more than 90% of its trees — that makes it one of the greenest countries on the planet.