Nickerie District

Nickerie District is an agricultural region in northwestern Suriname along the Atlantic Ocean coast, stretching between the Corantijn River and Guyana. Its capital Nieuw-Nickerie has a port for seagoing vessels that handles the export of rice, bananas, and farm equipment.

The first plantation in the district received approval from Governor Jurriaan François de Friderici in 1797 and attracted Scottish and English settlers during British occupation. This early growth shaped the region's development as a major agricultural area.

The district is home to Indo-Surinamese, Javanese, and Afro-Surinamese communities who maintain their own celebrations and food traditions in villages and rural areas. This diversity appears in the houses, markets, and daily life of Nieuw-Nickerie and smaller settlements.

Visitors should expect tropical weather and heavy rainfall, especially during rainy seasons. The best time to explore is during drier months when roads are more passable and the countryside is easier to access.

The Bigi Pan Nature Reserve is a large wetland with mangrove forests where scarlet ibis, flamingos, and caimans live. This protected area offers wildlife viewing and shows the natural side of the region beyond the farmland.

Location: Suriname

Capital city: Nieuw Nickerie

Shares border with: Coronie District, Sipaliwini District

GPS coordinates: 5.76722,-56.87028

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:58