Moengo | |
|---|---|
 Bauxite factory | |
 Resorts of Marowijne District. Moengo | |
| Coordinates:5°37′N54°24′W / 5.617°N 54.400°W /5.617; -54.400 | |
| Country |  Suriname |
| District | Marowijne District |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,117 km2 (431 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Population (2012)[1] | |
• Total | 10,834 |
| • Density | 9.7/km2 (25/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (AST) |
Moengo (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈmuŋɡoː]) is a town inSuriname, located in theMarowijne district, betweenParamaribo and the border townAlbina on theCottica River. Moengo is also a resort (municipality) in the district of Marowijne. Moengo was the capital ofMarowijne District between 1932 and 1945. The current capital isAlbina.[2]
Moengo started as aMaroon village on top of a hill overlooking theCottica River. The settlement was later abandoned due to the difficulty of building houses on thebauxite rich ground.[3] In 1916,Alcoa founded the first bauxite mine in Suriname,[4] and this marks the beginning of the current town. Moengo was designed in 1919 to house 4,000 people.[5] It would become a major centre for the mining and storage of bauxite.[2]
Moengo was asegregated town. The American Quarter was built for the Americans and Dutch, the Surinamese Quarter for theAfro-Surinamese,[6] and Wonoredjo for theJavanese Surinamese.[7] Maroons were only hired for temporary work or trade in the town, and had toleave by sundown.[8] Until the 1960s, the racial regulations remained in force.[9] In 2012, the Maroons formed the biggest ethnic group with a significant minority of Javanese.[1]
The 1980s marked a violent period: theSurinamese Interior War had reached Moengo. Troops from theJungle Commando captured the town in 1988, and held it for nine months before being recaptured by theNational Army in June 1989.[10] A large portion of the population fled the town, the bauxite mine ceased its operations, and several buildings burned down.[11]
Moengo ceased to be mainly dependent on mining in the late 20th century.[12] In June 2014, Alcoa announced that the bauxite mine was almost depleted, and wanted to cease operations in Suriname.[13] In 2017, the ownership of Suralco, the local subsidiary, was transferred to the Government of Suriname.[14]
Moengo could originally only be reached via the river.[2] In 1926lieutenant Weyne started to build a road toMoengotapoe which was extended toParamaribo in 1929.[2] In 1964, theEast-West Link opened.[2]
TheMoengo Airstrip is located near the town, and was founded in 1955. Originally the airport was calledSchiphol afterAmsterdam Airport Schiphol.[5]
The Port of Moengo is a medium sized port withUN/LOCODE SRMOJ.[15] It used to be privately owned by Alcoa. In 2008, it was sold to Traymore Docks.[16] It has two jetties of which one is capable of handlingoil tankers. Ocean-going ships have to use rivertugboats.[17]
The town is home to two Surinamefirst division football clubs:Inter Moengotapoe who play atRonnie Brunswijkstadion, andNotch who play atMoengo Stadion.
In 2009, Kibii Foundation, chaired by the artist Marcel Pinas, established the Tembe Art Studio with the aim of inviting international artists to teach their skills.[18] These artists-in-residence have to donate a work of art to theMarowijne Art Park [nl] located in the nearby village ofOvia Olo.[18] As of 2011, Moengo is home to the Contemporary Art Museum Moengo which is the first museum forcontemporary art in Suriname.[19] As of 2013, theMoengo Festival is organised, a three-day festival alternately showcasing music, theatre, dance, and thevisual arts. In 2018, the festival attracted 20,000 people.[20]
5°37′N54°24′W / 5.617°N 54.400°W /5.617; -54.400
| Brokopondo District |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Commewijne District | ||
| Coronie District | ||
| Marowijne District | ||
| Nickerie District | ||
| Para District | ||
| Paramaribo District | ||
| Saramacca District | ||
| Sipaliwini District | ||
| Wanica District | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
