CORONIE

Small, but nice. This is how the district of Coronie is often described. However, it’s not the size of this district that is small; Coronie is the district with the fewest inhabitants of all the districts.

The peace and rural life characterize Coronie; fishermen along the road having a pleasant chat, cattle that pay no attention to honking vehicles and stroll leisurely across the road, the quiet little farmland, but especially the typical wooden houses built in the old English architectural style, set Coronie apart from the other districts.

During the colonial period, several planters from England and Scotland settled in Coronie. When Suriname briefly came under British control at the beginning of the 19th century, even more planters from both countries arrived. Not only the typical houses are a legacy of this, but also place names such as the capital Totness, Friendship, Burnside, and Mary’s Hope, as well as the surnames of the current residents, testify to the former English and Scottish presence.

Coronie lies between the districts of Nickerie and Saramacca. The district borders Sipaliwini to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. The name is derived from the military post “Corona” that was established there at the time.

The coconut trees that sometimes flank the road on both sides tell the story of a once-thriving coconut industry. Although that industry is long gone, the coconuts are still used for making coconut oil. Honey is also produced in the district from the flowers of the Parwa, a species of mangrove. Both the coconut oil and the honey are made in an artisanal way.

In Coronie, you will also find the Mangrove Museum. Mangrove forests along the coast have a protective function, ensuring that not too much land is washed away.

In 2018, a sea dike was opened in the district, stretching a remarkable 14 kilometers. Although the dike is not long enough to protect all of Coronie from the encroaching salty seawater, this was its primary purpose.

Since its opening, the location has attracted hundreds of people every day, with both locals and international tourists coming to enjoy the cool sea breeze. The surrounding mangrove forest is a breeding ground for various bird species, and it’s not uncommon to see Red Ibises and Flamingos flying by.