Official Name: | Paramacca |
Settlement Type: | Resort |
Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Suriname |
Subdivision Type1: | District |
Subdivision Name1: | Sipaliwini District |
Area Footnotes: | [1] |
Area Total Km2: | 3233 |
Population Total: | 1,500-2,000 |
Population Density Km2: | 0.46-0.61 |
Timezone: | AST |
Utc Offset: | -3 |
Coordinates: | 5.0836°N -54.5475°W |
Paramacca (also Pamacca[1]) is a resort in Suriname, located in the Sipaliwini District.[2] The population is estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 people. In 1983, the Sipaliwini District was created, and the eastern part became the resort of Tapanahony.[3] The Paramacca resort is the northern part of Tapanahony, and mainly inhabited by the Paramaccan people,[3] [4] the border of the resorts is the island of Bofoo Tabiki in the Marowijne River.[4]
The administrative centre of the resort is located in Snesiekondre, and was completed in 2012.[5] The District Commissioner for the resort is Margaretha Malontie.[6]
The Paramaccans were runaway slaves who had made a peace treaty with the Colony in 1872.[7] In 1879, a group of about 90 Paramaccans led by Apensa created a settlement on an island in the Marowijne River near the mouth of the Paramacca Creek. The town was named Langatabiki (Long Island).[8]
The resort of Paramacca consists of the current area settled by the Paramaccans.[3]
The resort is made up of 13 tribal villages which are mainly located on the Lower Marowijne River, and is home to the non-tribal village of Stoelmanseiland. The main village of the resort is Langatabiki which is the residence of the granman of the Paramaccan people.[1]
Medische Zending operates health care clinics in Langatabiki, Nason, and Stoelmanseiland.[9]
Schools are present in Gakaba, Langatabiki, Nason, and Stoelmanseiland.[1]
A major part of the economy of Paramacca is gold prospecting by the Newmont Corporation. Ecotourism has become an important addition in the early 21st century.[10] Holiday resorts have opened near the Armina waterfalls, and Stoelmanseiland.[1] Cassave is the main agricultural crop.[11]
The area can be reached by car via an unpaved road between Moengo and Langatabiki, from where there is access to the East-West Link.[12] Plans have been developed to pave the road to Moengo, and built one road from Langatabiki via Stoelmanseiland to Benzdorp, and another from Langatabiki to Brokopondo.[13]
Paramacca is served by Langatabbetje Airstrip and Stoelmans Eiland Airstrip offering Blue Wing scheduled services from Paramaribo.[14]