Uitkijk Explained

Official Name:Uitkijk
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Suriname
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Suriname
Subdivision Name1:Saramacca District
Subdivision Type2:Resort
Subdivision Name2:Kampong Baroe
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:AST
Utc Offset:-3
Coordinates:5.7767°N -55.3475°W

Uitkijk is a village in the resort of Kampong Baroe in the Saramacca District of Suriname. The village is located on the Saramacca River.

History

The village started as a wood plantation,[1] In 1778, a military outpost was established at Uitkijk,[2] because of its strategic importance: all river traffic from Paramaribo heading west had to pass through Uitkijk.[3] Between 1789 and 1793, the Boni War was fought against runaway slaves. 44 of the captured slaves were born in the forest, and resettled in Uitkijk.[4] The military outpost does not exist any more, however the police station for the region is located in Uitkijk.[3]

In 1936, a road was constructed between Hamburg and Groningen which allowed cars to travel west from Paramaribo, however at Uitkijk, a ferry was needed across the Saramacca River.[3] In 2011, a bridge was opened.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Plantage De Uitkijk. Suriname Plantages. 16 February 2021. nl.
  2. Web site: Forten en verdedigingswerken.. Suriname.nu. 16 February 2021. nl.
  3. Web site: Distrikt Saramacca 2. Suriname.nu. 16 February 2021. nl.
  4. Silvia W. de Groot. 1998. OSO. Tijdschrift voor Surinaamse Taalkunde, Letterkunde en Geschiedenis. Het Korps Zwarte Jagers in Suriname collaboratie en opstand II. 16. nl. 16 February 2021.
  5. News: Saramacca opgelucht met in gebruik name brug na zes jaar. Star Nieuws. 16 February 2021. nl.