The Commewijne River flows in northern Suriname. It rises in the Commewijne District’s highlands and flows north till it meets the meandering Cottica River on the right, then westward until it meets the south-north flowing Suriname River at Nieuw Amsterdam. It enters the Atlantic Ocean after around 30 kilometers. It has a 6,600-square-kilometer river basin. The Commewijne was historically significant in terms of navigation. Oceangoing ships navigated the river, and massive bauxite barges were brought from Moengo in the east to the Surinam river’s confluence, and then southward via Paramaribo to the Paranam refinery, Trinidad, and the United States. Floats made of tropical hardwood were also delivered to Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo. The Moengo bauxite deposit has since been drained, and the hardwood is now primarily transported by trucks. As late as 1986, oceangoing ships were trading the river. Local people and tourists continue to be involved in boat trafficking. Camaiwini and Cammawini were the names given to the Commewijne River in the 16th and 17th centuries. Commewijne is thought to be formed from the Arawak terms kama.
Photo by Sean Peter on Unsplash