According to abbreviationfinder, Paramaribo, is the capital and largest city of Suriname, is located in the north of the country, on the banks of the Suriname River, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 310,000 residents (as of 2010), it houses the main port of the republic, it does not have an airport, and it is the most important commercial and manufacturing center.
The historic center of the city of Paramaribo, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2002. This city was the headquarters of the VII Ordinary Meeting of Heads of State and Government of Unasur.
History
The area, was a trading post started by the Dutch, was taken by the English in 1630, and in 1650 the city became the capital of the new English colony. The area changed hands many times between English and Dutch rule. In 1667 it was under Dutch rule and also from 1815 until the independence of Suriname in 1975.
In January 1821, a fire in the center of the city destroyed more than 400 houses and other buildings. A second fire in September 1832 destroyed another 46 houses in the western part of the Waterkant.
In 1943, a military plane crashed on its way to North Africa near the city, killing two FBI agents and 33 other people on board. The cause of the plane crash was never determined and very few remains of the 35 people on board were found.
After World War II, the city grew considerably thanks to the income it obtained from tourism and industrial development. In 1975, Suriname’s independence was proclaimed and Paramaribo was designated the capital of the republic.
Geography
Paramaribo is located in the district of Paramaribo, on the banks of the Suriname River. and 15 kilometers from the coast. It has an area of 183 km² and a total population of 310,000 residents (as of 2010). See population of Suriname.
Climate
Paramaribo has a tropical jungle climate, under the Kppen climate classification. The city has no true dry season, the 12 months of the year averaging more than 60 mm of precipitation, but the city experiences remarkably wet and dry periods during the year. From September to November is the driest time of the year in Paramaribo. Common to many cities with this climate, temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with average high temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius and average low temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius. Paramaribo, on average sees more or less 2,200 mm of rain a year.
Economy
Paramaribo is the largest city in the country, the main port on the coast, and the center of commerce and manufacturing.
Paramaribo’s economy is based on agricultural production, where rice, sugar cane and fruit trees are grown) and on the metallurgical, textile, food, mechanical and footwear industries. In addition, they have tobacco, cement and paint factories
The city is an exporter of gold, bauxite, rice, sugar, cocoa, coffee, rum and tropical woods.
Much of his economic life is spent on Waterkranz avenue, where the largest market and numerous shopping centers are located, as well as restaurants and hotels.
Culture
Paramaribo is famous for its ethnic and cultural diversity, which includes Indians, Caribbean, Maroon, Javanese, Creole, Amerindian, Chinese and European, mainly Dutch and British.
The great ethnic diversity of its residents has brought with it the appearance of mosques, synagogues and Hindu temples. Paramaribo is possibly the only place where it can be found next to a mosque, a synagogue.
On Sundays and holidays there is a popular bird song contest. Suriname has two movie theaters, both located in the capital.
The notable milestones
- Suriname Mosque
- National Assembly of Suriname
- Neve Shalom Synagogue
- Roman Catholic St Peter and Paul Cathedral St
- The Dewaker Hindu Temple Arya
Architecture
Paramaribo is an old Dutch colonial city from the 17th and 18th centuries located on the tropical South American coast. Peaceful and neat, it maintains in the buildings of the historic center the colonial style that earned it to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002.
The architectural style of the city and the canals that decorate its streets show a clear Dutch influence. Its traditional houses are usually rectangular in shape with few windows, to reduce as much as possible the high temperatures that are registered in this South American country, and with gardens. On its main facade, a row of orange trees adds a nice note of color to the city every time they bloom, twice a year.
In the vast majority of buildings, white predominates and the style introduced by its first residents is respected. Wooden houses, offices and ministries of up to three stories rise throughout the Surinamese capital.
Places of historical and cultural interest
Perhaps one of the best examples to cite is its imposing Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The exquisitely worked two-tower building was built in 1885 and is the tallest wooden building in the Western Hemisphere.
Located in the heritage center, the Cathedral shares the space with the Plaza de la Independencia, the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly and Palmentuin Park, a recreation center from colonial times guarded by thousands of palms.
Its main attractions include the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, which at 1,500 meters connects the city with the Commewijne district, and the Amsterdam and Zeeland forts, built in the 17th century.
Also noteworthy are the University, founded in 1968, the Museum of Suriname, which since 1954 exhibits archaeological, cultural and historical samples of the country, the Cultural Center of Suriname, which opened its doors in 1947, and an institute for research on tropical resources.
Sports
Paramaribo is the birthplace of several soccer players, some of them later representing the Netherlands:
- Andwl Slory
- Aron winter
- Clarence seedorf
- Edgar davids
- Fabian wilnis
- Henk Frser
- Jerry de jong
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
- Kelvin Leerdam
- Maarten Atmodikoro
- Mark de Vries
- Regi Blinker
- Romeo castelen
- Stanley menzo
- Ulrich van gobbel
- Edson braafheid
Other sports such as tennis, golf, and basketball are also commonly played in Suriname. Paramaribo is also the birthplace of Dutch kickboxer and Mixed Martial Artist Tyrone Spong.
Transport
Paramaribo is served by the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport and Zorg at Hoop Airport for local flights. The Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, which is part of the East-West Link, connects Paramaribo with Meerzorg on the other side of the Suriname River.
Sister cities
- Antwerp, Belgium.
- Hangzhou, China.
- Willemstad, Curaçao.
- Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
