Suriname is divided into 10 districts, each with its own capital city. Each district is headed up by a district commissioner.

The 10 districts are:

1. Brokopondo with its capital, Brokopondo

This district is well known for its 1560 km2 Van Blommenstein Stuwmeer, gold mining and forestry activities . The majority of the maroon society has established homes here.

This population group descends from slaves who had fled. The Brownsberg Nature Park is also located in this district.

2. Commewijne with its capital, New Amsterdam

It is known for its exciting plantation and its economic activities, including agriculture, cattle breeding and the fishing industry. Tourism is one of the strongest pillars in this district. Well-known places such as Matapica Beach, Fort Nw. Amsterdam and the open air museum are well worth a visit.

3. Coronie with its capital, Totness

This coconut district, as it is sometimes referred to, depends on agriculture, cattle breeding and the fishing industry for its economy. A must-see is the coast, which is home to many water birds that regularly come here to feed on the mud banks.

4. Marowijne with its capital, Albina

The Galibi nature reserve is located in the northern part of this district. The economic activities consist of fishing, cutting down trees, mining, trade with French Guyana and tourism.

5. Nickerie with its capital, New Nickerie.

90% of all rice and rice products come from this district. The banana is also a major export product. Bigi Pan is one of the largest tourist attractions of this district. The area has a large bird population.

6. Para with its capital, Onverwacht

This is the district where you will arrive if you travel to Suriname by air. Many recreational sites and tourist attractions are available here. The source of income for this district is tourism.

7. Paramaribo with its capital, Paramaribo, which is also the capital of Suriname

The historic city centre of Paramaribo was placed on the UNESCO Global Inheritance List. Paramaribo is the country’s largest economic business centre.

8. Saramacca with its capital, Groningen

This district thanks its origin to the Dutch farmers who settled here for the agriculture. This district’s main business is still agriculture. There is also a lot of horticulture here. Another source of income for the country’s economy is petroleum. The public company, Staatsolie, has its largest oil wells here.

9. Sipaliwini with its capital, Sipaliwini

This is the largest district of all and is comprised of more than 90% untouched, primeval forest “jungle”. The native inhabitants and some of the marrons live in his area. The world famous Okopipi (Dendrobates azureus poison frog), which can only be found in Suriname, lives in the Sipaliwinie savannah.

10. Wanica with its capital, Lelydorp

This district also participates in large scale horticulture and cattle breeding. Most of the population works in Paramaribo.