Nickerie District

Nickerie is a district located in the northwest of Suriname. According to the 2012 census, it has a population of 34,233 inhabitants.

It is located at the mouth of the Corantijn River, a river that forms the border between this country and Guyana. To the north it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by Coronie and to the south by the extensive district of Sipaliwini.

It has an area of 5,353 km². Most of its inhabitants are of Hindu origin.

Its capital is Nieuw Nickerie, the second largest city in the country, located on the banks of the Nickerie River. Other well-known towns in this district are Wageningen and Washoda.

The place received little attention by the first English and Scottish settlers established in the territory currently occupied by Suriname more than 150 years ago. However, with the introduction of rice plantations, the region experienced great economic and demographic development.

Relations between the country and neighboring Guyana have always been very tense regarding the belonging of this region, which has even produced, on certain occasions, fights between both States. However, there is a ferry connection between the Nickerie district and the Guyanese town of Springlands.

On September 8, 2010, the new president of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, met with the president of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, to discuss the construction of a bridge over the Courentine River between the two nations in order to facilitate the passage of export and import trucks.

Administrative division

Nickerie is subdivided into five resorts:

1. Groot Henar
2. Nieuw Nickerie
3. Oostelijke Polders
4. Wageningen
5. Westelijke Polders