{{Infobox settlement | official_name = Meerzorg | other_name = | native_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Resort | motto = | image_skyline = File:Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 20006981 De Arya Samaj tempel in Meerzorg.jpg | image_caption = The Arya Samaj Temple in Meerzorg (1964) | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_map = Commewijne Resorts Suriname Neutral.png | map_caption = Map showing the resorts of Commewijne District.{{legend|#70a0ff|Meerzorg}} | pushpin_map = <!-- Suriname --> | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_map_caption = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Suriname}} | subdivision_type1 = District | subdivision_name1 = Commewijne District | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | established_title = | established_date = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 1081 | area_land_km2 = | population_as_of = 2012 | population_footnotes = <ref name="census">{{Cite web|url=https://spangstaging.com/2019/abs/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/census8etn.pdf|title=Resorts in Suriname Census 2012|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> | population_note = | population_total = 12,405 | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone = AST | utc_offset = -3 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = {{coord|5|48|26|N|55|8|49|W|region:SR|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 1 | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = }} '''Meerzorg''' (Sranan Tongo: '''Ansu'''<ref name="plantage">{{cite web|url=https://www.surinameplantages.com/archief/m/meerzorg|title=Plantage Meerzorg|access-date=17 May 2020|website=Suriname Plantage|language=nl}}</ref>) is a town and resort (municipality) in Suriname, located on the eastern bank of the Suriname River, directly opposite the capital Paramaribo. Its population at the 2012 census was 12,405.<ref name="census"/> Since 2000 it has been connected to Paramaribo by the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, named after the former President Jules Wijdenbosch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1159927/jules-wijdenbosch-bridge-paramaribo-suriname|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406143457/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1159927/jules-wijdenbosch-bridge-paramaribo-suriname|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 6, 2022|title=Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge|website=Emporis|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>
==History== Meerzorg is named after the sugar plantation Meerzorg.<ref name="plantage"/> The plantation was founded at the end of the 17th century, and was originally called Plantage Amsinck.<ref name="amsinck">{{cite web|url=https://www.suriname.nu/surinamenu/knowledge-base/amsinck-plantage-meerzorg/|title=Amsinck|website=Suriname.nu|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> On 10 October 1712, Jacques Cassard captured the plantation for France, and threatened Paramaribo across the Suriname river. Negotiations started, and on 27 October Cassard left with ƒ747,350 (€8.1 million in 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iisg.nl/hpw/calculate-nl.php|website=Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis|title=De waarde van de gulden / euro|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>) worth of goods and slaves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/hart038besc01_01/hart038besc01_01_0026.php|title=Beschryving van Guiana, of de wilde kust in Zuid-America|last=Jan Jacob Hartsinck|first=Digital Library for Dutch Literature|author-link=Digital Library for Dutch Literature|date=1770|language=nl}}</ref> To protect Paramaribo and Commewijne from future attacks, Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam was constructed, and opened in 1747.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fortnieuwamsterdam.sr/welkom/geschiedenis/|title=Geschiedenis|website=Fort Nieuw Amsterdam|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
On 15 March 1907, the plantation owners announced a grand plan: a tram line would be laid between Spieringshoek and Meerzorg, the United Fruit Company would start loading bananas at a new wharf, and a steamboat ferry would connect Meerzorg with Paramaribo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010340720:mpeg21:p002|title=Bacovecultuur|website=Suriname: koloniaal nieuws- en advertentieblad via Delpher|date=15 March 1907|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> On 26 August 1907, the plans were cancelled, and the owner was thinking of selling the plantation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010340765:mpeg21:a0013|title=Bacovetram|date=26 August 1907|website=Suriname: koloniaal nieuws- en advertentieblad via Delpher|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> In 1915, the plantation was bought by the government to be repurposed for small scale agriculture, and suburban housing projects.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010341222:mpeg21:a0024|title=Koloniale Staten|website=Suriname : koloniaal nieuws- en advertentieblad via delpher|access-date=17 May 2020|date=12 February 1915|language=nl}}</ref> Due to the proximity of Paramaribo, factories were built in Meerzorg.<ref name="jagtlust">{{cite web|url=http://plantagejagtlust.nl/?p=49|title=DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN MEERZORG, ZOALS BESCHREVEN IN OUDE KRANTENBERICHTEN, DEEL 1 (1915-1940).|website=Plantage Jaglust|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> In 1930, the plantation was extended by a polder, and the new land was used to grow rice.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010661344:mpeg21:a0069|title=Het voorland van Meerzorg|access-date=17 May 2020|date=20 May 1930|website=Algemeen Handelsblad via delpher|language=nl}}</ref> Meerzorg started to grow, and by 1948 had a population of 4,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suriname.nu/surinamenu/knowledge-base/geschiedenis-van-meerzorg-ii/|title=Geschiedenis van Meerzorg II|website=Suriname.nu|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> In 1958, the Commewijne District was expanded to include Meerzorg boosting its population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suriname.nu/175alg/commewijne01.html|title=District Commewijne|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
In 1931, a ferry opened between Meerzorg en Waterkant, Paramaribo,<ref name="jagtlust"/> but to improve access to the eastern part of Suriname, the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge was opened on 20 May 2000, replacing the ferry. The bridge is part of the East-West Link.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.entoen.nu/nl/suriname/suriname/jules-wijdenboschbrug|title=Infrastructuur|website=En Toen.nu|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> There have been repeated calls to reopen a ferry service for bikes and pedestrians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.waterkant.net/suriname/2009/09/03/veer-bij-surinaamse-hoofdstad-in-de-pijplijn/?cn-reloaded=1|title=Veer bij Surinaamse hoofdstad in de pijplijn|website=Waterkant|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> The ferry wharf has been upgraded to a touristic zone as of 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nieuws-suriname.nl/veerplein-meerzorg-wordt-toeristische-attractie/|title=Veerplein Meerzorg wordt toeristische attractie|website=GFC Nieuws via Nieuws Suriname|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
Meerzorg has been designated as a regional centre, and suburban area for Paramaribo, and there have been many building projects in the early 21st century. In 2006, the plan Richelieu was announced to build 4,000 houses at the location of the former plantation in corporation with the Development Bureau of the Dutch city of Amsterdam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parbode.com/weinig-hoop-voor-woningzoekenden/|title=Weinig hoop voor woningzoekenden|website=Parbode|access-date=22 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
Meerzorg was also home to the Cinema Ansoe, a unique wooden art-deco cinema, which opened on 28 November 1958.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.suryamedia.nl/cms2/index.php/106-nieuws/laatste-nieuws/401-cinema-ansoe|title=Cinema Ansoe |website=Surya Media|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref> As of 2013, the cinema was in a dilapidated condition with broken windows.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dbsuriname.com/2013/11/08/oude-bioscopen-nieuwe-bestemmingen/|title=Oude bioscopen, nieuwe bestemmingen|website=Dagblad Suriname|access-date=17 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==Other settlements== The village of Laarwijk is located on the Meerzorg resort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maplandia.com/suriname/commewijne/meerzorg/laarwijk/|title=Laarwijk Map — Satellite Images of Laarwijk|website=Map Landia|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>
The Brooskampers Maroons lived on plantations Rorac and Klaverblad between 1863 and 1917.<ref>{{cite thesis|url=https://repository.ubn.ru.nl/handle/2066/145783|title=Bosneger en overheid in Suriname|last1=Scholtens| first1=Ben|language=nl| date=1994|publisher=Afdeling Cultuurstudies/Minov|website=Radboud University Nijmegen |location=Paramaribo| isbn=9991410155|page=34}}</ref>
==Peperpot nature park== {{anchor|Peperpot}}thumb|250px|right|Peperpot Plantation house Peperpot is a former coffee plantation located to the south of the town of Meerzorg. It is one of the oldest plantations. The exact year of founding is not known, but it was soon after 1692. The plantation remained in production until 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.surinameplantages.com/archief/p/peperpot|title=Plantage Peperpot|access-date=26 May 2020|language=nl|website=Suriname Plantages}}</ref> The plantation has been transformed into a 700 hectares nature park, and is home to many birds and animals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.klm.com/destinations/id/in/article/nature-park-at-an-old-plantation|title=Nature Park at an old plantation|website=KLM|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> The nature park opened in 2009 and was financed by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Nationale Postcode Loterij.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://unitednews.sr/wat-wordt-peperpot/|title=Wat wordt Peperpot|access-date=26 May 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==Sports== The Meerzorg Stadion, a multi-purpose stadium, is located in Meerzorg near the East-West Link. The stadium is home to both SVB Hoofdklasse clubs SV Excelsior and SV Nishan 42. The stadium has a capacity of 1,300 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nl.soccerway.com/venues/surinam/meerzorg-stadion/v8068/|title=Meerzorg Stadion|website=Soccerway|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Commons category}} {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.troon.org/suriname/nl/brug.html Meerzorg-Paramaribo bridge] (Dutch) * [https://www.facebook.com/peperpotnaturepark Peperpot Nature Park at Facebook]
{{Resorts of Suriname}} {{Surinamese District Commewijne}}
Category:Meerzorg Category:Resorts of Suriname Category:Populated places in Commewijne District