Oost, Suriname

Oost
Resort
Bauxite factory at Paranam
Bauxite factory at Paranam
Map showing the resorts of Para District.
  Oost
Country Suriname
DistrictPara District
Area
 • Total
446 km2 (172 sq mi)
Population
 (2012)[1]
 • Total
8,016
 • Density18/km2 (47/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-3 (AST)

Oost is a resort in Suriname, located in the Para District. Its population at the 2012 census was 8,016.[1] The main town in the resort is Paranam. Oost is also home to the former leper colony Bethesda.[2] The Paranam alumina refinery is located near the town of Paranam.[3] The Accaribo area is becoming tourist spot with the main attractions White Beach and Caribo Beach Resort.[4]

The former capital of Suriname, Torarica is located in the Oost Resort. It was settled by Portuguese Jews in 1629. One origin offered for its name is as a Portuguese coinage meaning "Opulent Torah".[5] By 1665, the village of Paramaribo was expanded and quickly outranked Torarica.[6]

The Lokono village of Powakka is located in the resort.[7]

  1. ^ a b "Resorts in Suriname Census 2012" (PDF). Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Where is Bethesda in Suriname?". Geo Targit. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Suralco - Paranam Alumina Refinery". Industry About. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Planning Office Suriname - Districts" (PDF). Planning Office Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  5. ^ Briggs, Philip (2015-02-01). Suriname. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 9781841629100.
  6. ^ "Paramaribo Suriname 2". Suriname.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  7. ^ Planning Office (2014). "Planning Office Suriname - Districts" (PDF). Planning Office Suriname (in Dutch). p. 147.