Suriname River
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2008-07-09T01:26:02Z
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The '''Suriname River''' is 480 km long and flows through the country of [[Suriname]]. Its sources are located in the [[Guiana Highlands]] on the border between the [[Wilhelminagebergte|Wilhelmina Mountains]] and the [[Eilerts de Haan Mountains]] (where it is known as the [[Gran Rio]]). The river flows below the reservoir along [[Brokopondo]], [[Berg en Dal (Suriname)|Berg en Dal]], the migrant communities [[Klaaskreek]] and [[Nieuw-Lombé]], [[Jodensavanne]], [[Carolina, Suriname|Carolina]], [[Ornamibo]] and [[Domburg (Suriname)|Domburg]], before reaching the capital [[Paramaribo]] on the left bank and [[Meerzorg]] on the right bank. At [[Nieuw Amsterdam, Suriname|Nieuw-Amsterdam]] it is joined by the [[Commewijne River|Commewijne]] and immediately thereafter at the sandspit [[Braamspunt]] it flows into the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
The river has several sets of rapids as well as a few dams, the largest of which is the [[Afobakadam]]. The river's flow is interrupted by the [[Brokopondo Reservoir]], which therefore divides the river into two sections. The upstream section runs almost entirely through the [[Sipaliwini District|Sipaliwini district]], and the downstream section runs through the [[Brokopondo District|Brokopondo]], [[Para District|Para]], [[Commewijne District|Commewijne]], [[Wanica District|Wanica]] and [[Paramaribo District|Paramaribo]] districts.
[[Image:Surinameriver at leonsberg.jpg|thumb|250px|Suriname River at Leonsberg, Paramaribo]]
==Navigation==
For [[import]] and [[export]], the Suriname is by far the most important river in the country. Not only do all vessels carrying [[bauxite]], [[aluminum oxide]] and [[aluminum]] depart from Suriname via the river, nearly all vessels carrying materials vital for Suriname enter the country at Braamspunt in order to offload their cargoes in the harbours of Paramaribo (immediately south of the city centre), or the harbours of [[Smalkalden]] and [[Paranam]] – approximately 30 km from Paramaribo – which are vital for the aluminum industry. During [[World War II|the Second World War]], the 6,000 tonne [[Hapag Lloyd|North German Lloyd]] cargo ship [[Goslar (ship)|Goslar]] was scuttled in the Suriname in order to prevent it from falling into [[Allies|Allied]] hands. The wreck has never been removed and remains visible in the middle of the river (geolocation: {{coor dms|5|49|05.32|N|55|09|32.84|W|}}.)
==Bridges==
In 2000, the [[Jules Wijdenbosch]] Bridge at Paramaribo was officially opened by the President, who had commissioned construction of the bridge and after whom it is named. The bridge permits access to the eastern part of the country.
At [[Carolina, Suriname|Carolina]], approximately 50 km South of Paramaribo, a wooden bridge crosses the river.
==Recreation==
[[Image:Surinamerivier whitebeach downstream.jpg|thumb|250px|Looking downstream at White Beach]]
Near Domburg, an artificial white sand [[beach]] has been created along the Suriname River. The adjoining strip of water has been protected with nets to allow swimming in the [[Piranha]] infested waters. As a result of this and associated recreation facilities, White Beach is a popular weekend destination.
==Notes==
* Translated from [[:nl:Suriname (rivier)|Suriname (rivier)]] article on the [[Dutch Wikipedia]], version on 24 April 2006
[[Category:Rivers of Suriname]]
[[cy:Afon Suriname]]
[[de:Suriname (Fluss)]]
[[fr:Suriname (fleuve)]]
[[gl:Río Surinam]]
[[sw:Surinam (mto)]]
[[lt:Surinamas (upė)]]
[[nl:Suriname (rivier)]]
[[pl:Surinam (rzeka)]]