Suriname Nieuw Nickerie, or simply Nieuw Nickerie, is a city located in the north-western part of Suriname, near the border with Guyana. It is the capital of the Nickerie District and the second largest city in the country. The city is situated on the banks of the Nickerie River, which is a tributary of the Corantijn River, and is part of the Corantijn Basin.
Nieuw Nickerie was founded in the early 19th century by Dutch settlers as a trading post. The city was named after the Dutch admiral Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest, who was the first to explore the area in 1597. The city quickly grew in importance due to its strategic location near the Corantijn River, which was a major trading route for the Dutch West India Company.
In the late 19th century, Nieuw Nickerie became an important port for the export of sugar, coffee, and other commodities. The city also served as a major transportation hub for the Dutch East Indies Company, which operated a fleet of steamships that connected the city with other major ports in the region.
In the early 20th century, Nieuw Nickerie experienced a period of economic decline due to the decline of the Dutch East Indies Company. The city was also affected by the Second World War, when it was occupied by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the city slowly began to recover and in the 1950s, it was declared a city by the government of Suriname.
Today, Nieuw Nickerie is an important port for the export of rice, shrimp, and other seafood products. The city also serves as an important transportation hub for the region, as it is connected to the rest of Suriname by road and air. The city is also home to a number of cultural and historical attractions, including the Nieuw Nickerie Museum, the Nieuw Nickerie Fort, and the Nieuw Nickerie Zoo.
Nieuw Nickerie is an important part of Suriname's history and its cultural and economic development. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is home to a diverse population that includes Dutch, Chinese, East Indian, and African descendants. Its strategic location in the Corantijn Basin has made it an important port for centuries and it continues to play an important role in the economy and culture of Suriname.