Paramaribo, Capital city at Suriname River, Suriname
Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname on the bank of the Suriname River, roughly 15 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. The city spreads over elevated ground with wide streets, wooden houses and modern buildings, surrounded by tropical greenery and waterways.
An indigenous settlement existed here by 1613 before French and later English settlers arrived. The Dutch took over the area in the 17th century and developed it into the administrative capital of their South American colony.
The name comes from the Surinen tribe who lived here before European colonization. The city today shows a mix of Dutch, Creole, Hindu and Javanese influences, visible in mosques, synagogues, temples and churches often standing just a few streets apart.
The international airport lies roughly 40 kilometers south of the city and connects the country to the outside world. Within the city, visitors move on foot in the historic center or use minibuses for longer distances.
The historic core was recognized by UNESCO in 2002 as World Heritage for its unusual combination of Dutch colonial architecture and local building traditions. Many buildings are made of wood and show decorated verandas and shutters, rarely so well preserved in this climate zone.
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