58 



AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



raaribo is a Frencli foundation dating from the year 1640, when some refugees 

 from Cayenne built a little fortalice on the spot where now stands Fort Zeelandia, 

 on the left bank of the Surinam just above its estuary. Ten years later Lord 

 Willoughby of Parham raised the place to the dignity of a capital, and when it 

 soon after passed into the hands of the Dutch, it became the administrative centre 

 of their Surinam possessions. 



Paramaribo, which is an Indian name and not a corruption of Parham, stands 

 on a terrace of shingle, coral, and shells at the point where the river describes a 



Fig. 16. — Paramaribo and Surinam Estuaey. 

 Scale 1 : 330.000. 



55° 20- 



55' :c- 



West of ureenw'ich 



mm 



Sands exposed 

 at low water. 



Depths. 



tol6 



Feet. 



16 Feet 

 and upwards. 



6 Miles. 



curve round to the east before its junction with the Commewijne at the head of 

 the estuary. It has the aspect of a tropical Amsterdam, and, despite the difference 

 of materials, its wooden houses painted grey recall the more substantial brick 

 structures of the Dutch city. Some Government buildings, such as the Govern- 

 ment palace, the synagogue, and a few churches impart an air of importance to 

 this somewhat old-fashioned town. Being well kept it is by no means an 

 unhealthy place, although the atmosphere, unrefreshed by the sea breezes, some- 

 what resembles that of a hothouse in Kew Gardens. 



