Districts of Suriname


Suriname is divided into 10 districts.

Overview

DistrictCapitalArea Area Population
Population Pop. dens.
SurinameParamaribo163,820100.0541,638100.03.3
1BrokopondoBrokopondo7,3644.515,9092.92.2
2CommewijneNieuw-Amsterdam2,3531.431,4205.813.4
3CoronieTotness3,9022.23,3910.60.9
4MarowijneAlbina4,6272.818,2943.44.0
5NickerieNieuw-Nickerie5,3533.334,2336.36.4
6ParaOnverwacht5,3933.324,7004.64.6
7ParamariboParamaribo1820.1240,92444.51323.8
8SaramaccaGroningen3,6362.217,4803.24.8
9Sipaliwininone130,56779.737,0656.80.3
10WanicaLelydorp4430.3118,22221.8266.9

History

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:
In 1851 Coronie District was upgraded to a division.
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.
In 1959 the Brokopondo District was established out of the former Suriname District.
In 1968 the districts were redrawn again, into
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.
In 1983
The last changes to the districts were in 1985.