Torarica | |
---|---|
Village | |
Coordinates: 5°31′47″N 55°03′02″W / 5.529722°N 55.050556°W | |
Country | Suriname |
District | Para District |
Resorts | Oost |
Time zone | UTC-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]