Torarica

Torarica
Village
Torarica is located in Suriname
Torarica
Torarica
Coordinates: 5°31′47″N 55°03′02″W / 5.529722°N 55.050556°W / 5.529722; -55.050556
Country Suriname
DistrictPara District
ResortsOost
Time zoneUTC-3 (AST)

Torarica is the original capital of Suriname. It was settled by Portuguese Jews in 1629. One origin offered for its name is as a Portuguese coinage meaning "Opulent Torah".[1] The Portuguese Jews arrived via Holland and Brazil.[2] By 1665, the village of Paramaribo was expanded and quickly outranked Torarica.[3]

The name Torarica is still in use by the Torarica Group, the largest hotel chain of Suriname. A former sugar plantation La Simplicité are located near the old town.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Briggs, Philip (2015-02-01). Suriname. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 9781841629100.
  2. ^ The Surprising Discovery of Suriname’s Jewish Community by Jacob Steinberg, 2008 Kulanu
  3. ^ "Paramaribo Suriname 2". Suriname.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Plantage La Simplicité". Suriname Plantages (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2020.