Para Creek

Para Creek (Parakreek also Para River) is a blackwater creek in the Wanica & Para District of Suriname. It is a tributary of the Suriname River, and was home to many plantations. The area around the creek has been cultivated since the English period. The Para District has been named after the creek in 1966.

Overview
The Para Creek is fed by many small creeks from the savanna area, and has a drainage basin of 1650 km2. During the colonisation of Suriname, most plantations were built along the Suriname River and the Para Creek, because the ground was fertile, and no additional infrastructure was required. In the 20th century, many holiday resorts were built on the Para Creek and its tributaries.

The northern part of Para Creek near the mouth experiences minor tidal movements, but has no salinity. The southern part of the creek used to be home to many wood plantations. The last 25 km of the Para Creek are parallel to the Suriname River, therefore, the Paradoorsnede, an artificial canal, was dug in the 18th century to provide better access. The canal is 3.4 km long.

Fort Para
In 1685, Fort Para was constructed on the Para Creek near Houttuin to protect the plantations against attacks by the Amerindians, however in 1686 a peace treaty was signed between the tribes and Governor van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck. In 1740, the fort was demolished.