Districts of Suriname

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map of the districts of Suriname in alphabetical order

Suriname
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Suriname

President Ronald Venetiaan Vice President Ram Sardjoe National Assembly Political parties Elections Districts Foreign relations
Other countries • Politics Portal view • talk • edit

Suriname is divided into 10 districts.

The country was first divided up into subdivisions by the Dutch on October 8, 1834, when a Royal Decree declared that there were to be 8 divisions and 2 districts, viz:

Upper Suriname and Torarica
Para
Upper Commewijne
Upper Cottica and Perica
Lower Commewijne
Lower Cottica
Matapica
Saramacca
Coronie (district)
Nickerie (district)

The divisions were areas near the capital city, Paramaribo, and the districts were areas further away from the city.

In 1927, Suriname's districts were revised, and the country was divided into 7 districts. In 1943, 1948, 1949, 1952 and 1959 further small modifications were made.

On October 28, 1966, the districts were redrawn again, into

Nickerie
Coronie
Saramacca
Brokopondo
Para
Suriname
Paramaribo
Commewijne
Marowijne

These divisions remained until 1980, when yet again, the borders of the districts were redrawn, however, with the following requirements:

Changes in the old boundaries were made only if it leads to improved functioning
Each area should be developed
The new boundaries should respect the identities of indigenous people.

The districts created in 1980 remain to this day.