PARAMARIBO, the capital of Dutch Guiana, is situated on the western bank of the river Surinam, about 10 in. from its mouth, in 5° 45' n. lat., and 55° 15' w. long. It forms a rectangle cf nearly a mile and a half in length by three-quarters in breadth. The streets are broad, covered with shell-sand, and planted on both sides with orange, lemon, tamarind, mid other trees. Near the river, the houses, which are chiefly of wood, stand somewhat closely together, but in the remoter parts each is surrounded by its own garden. The rooms are wainscoted with the choicest woods, and elegantly furnished.
In approaching Paramaribo from the sea fort Zeelaudia is first reached; then the bureau of finance and court of justice on the government plain, which is surrounded by stately cabbage-palms; the governor's house, with shady double avenue of tamarind trees; and lastly, the business streets stretching along the river side. There arc a Dutch Reformed, a Lutheran, Moravian, two Roman Catholic churches, and two synagogues. Fort Zeelandia has a large and beautiful barrack, with several roomy houses for the officers. Paramaribo has a neat, pleasant, and picturesque appearance, the white painted houses, with bright-green doors and windows, peeping out from the shady trees, and the river being thronged with the tent-boats and canoes which are constantly arriv ing and departing.
On Jan. 1, 1875, the population amounted to 21,755. By royal decree of Feb. 6. 1851, the flogging of slaves in the Netherlands West Indies was forbidden, except through officers appointed for the purpose, an a the number of lashes was limited. This check, however, was frequently evaded, and the greatest barbarities practiced, so that the feel ing in favor of emancipation increased in the Netherlands, and a bill was passed, Aug. 8, 1862, for emancipating the slaves on July 1, 1863.
Paramaribo being the only port, except Nickerie Point, at the mouth of the Corentyn, enjoys a considerable trade. In 1874 the total arrivals in Dutch Guiana were 204 ships, measuring 26,472 tons, the departures 212; of 27,393 tons. By far the largest number
were British. About a fourth part cleared at Nickerie, a very productive portion of the colony, in which sugar, molasses, and rum are manufactured in large quantities.
The climate of Dutch Guiana is not healthy. From this and other causes the deaths annually exceed the births. In 1874 there were 1548 births and 3,364 deaths. Of the births 1198 were not in wedlock. In Curacao, Aruba, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, and Saba. there were 1439 births and 658 deaths. Of the births 1058 were illegitimate. During that year 1405 coolies arrived in the colony, of whom 13S4 were from British India. these laborers the average death-rate was 13.83 per cent, and on three plantations 47.70; while that of the creoles averaged 5.70. Elephantiasis arabum and lepra are fearfully prevalent among the black population ,of Paramaribo and neighbor hood.
The maximum fall of rain is in May, the minimum in September and October. By observations mud: at five different points during eight successive years, it was found that the quantity varies much, being smallest at Nickerie, in the w., and largest at Montbyou in the e. of the colony. The averages of the eight years, from 1817 to 1854, were: Nickerie, 66.70 in.; Groningen. on the river Sa•amaeca, 90.50; Paramaribo, 99.85; Gelderland, on the river Surinam, 108.25: and Montbyou, 127.75. In Georgetown, British Guiana, the average fall is 100.50 inches.
The coast of Dutch Guiana is an alluvial deposit formed by the rivers and equatorial stream which flows eastwards. Further inland the sdil is diluvial loam, bearing the finest timber trees; and s. of this line are extensive savannas of white sand, stretching towards the hills awl mountains of the interior, which are chiefly of gneiss and granite.
Exports '74, 24,131,503 lbs. sugar; 2,435,483 lbs. cocoa; 127,460 lbs. cotton; 57,519 lbs. quassia-wood; 273,159 galls. molasses; 201,780 galls. rum, etc.