Para Creek (Dutch: Parakreek also Para River) is a blackwater creek in the Wanica & Para District of Suriname.[2] It is a tributary of the Suriname River, and was home to many plantations. The area around the creek has been cultivated since the English period.[3] The Para District has been named after the creek in 1966.[4]

Para Creek Para River
Painting of the Para Creek near plantation Berseba (~1860)
Native name	Parakreek  (Dutch)
Location
Country	Suriname
District	Wanica & Para District
Physical characteristics
Source
• coordinates	5.4015°N 55.1624°W / 5.4015; -55.1624
Mouth	Suriname River
• coordinates	5.74642°N 55.12789°W / 5.74642; -55.12789
Length	77.65 kilometres (48.25 mi)[1]
Basin features
Progression	Suriname River→Atlantic Ocean

Overview

The Para Creek is fed by many small creeks from the savanna area, and has a drainage basin of 1,650 square kilometres (640 sq mi).[5] During the colonisation of Suriname, most plantations were built along the Suriname River and the Para Creek, because the ground was fertile, and no additional infrastructure was required.[5] In the 20th century, many holiday resorts were built on the Para Creek and its tributaries.[6]

The northern part of Para Creek near the mouth experiences minor tidal movements, but has no salinity.[2] The southern part of the creek used to be home to many wood plantations.[7] The last 25 kilometres (16 mi) of the Para Creek are parallel to the Suriname River,[1] therefore, the Paradoorsnede, an artificial canal, was dug in the 18th century to provide better access.[7] The canal is 3.4 kilometres (2.1 mi) long.[1]

Fort Para

In 1685, Fort Para was constructed on the Para Creek near Houttuin to protect the plantations against attacks by the Amerindians, however in 1686 a peace treaty was signed between the tribes and Governor van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck.[8] In 1740, the fort was demolished.[9]

References

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parakreek.

• Planbureau (2014). "Waterbeheersingsplan Pararivier en Zijkreken" (PDF). Planning Office Suriname (in Dutch).

На других языках

[de] Para (Fluss)