Braamspunt

Braamspunt is a nature reserve, fishing village, and a former military outpost in the Johan & Margaretha resort of the Commewijne District of Suriname. Braamspunt is the most western point of the Commewijne District at the combined mouth of the Suriname and Commewijne River. The capital Paramaribo is located to the south of Braamspunt.[1] The name is a corruption of Byam's Point which refers William Byam who was a quartermaster of Willoughby.[2]

Braamspunt
Nature reserve and village
Beach at Braamspunt
Braamspunt
Coordinates: 5.9483°N 55.1627°W / 5.9483; -55.1627
Country Suriname
DistrictCommewijne District
ResortJohan & Margaretha
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Time zoneUTC-3 (AST)

History

After Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam was constructed in 1747,[3] a redoubt was created at Braamspunt to aid in the defence of the Colony of Suriname.[4]

Even though Napoleon Bonaparte did not officially annex the Netherlands until 1806.[5] Great Britain considered it a puppet state and started to eye the colonies. In 1804, the British Navy arrived in Suriname with 31 ships and 5,000 soldiers. The redoubts Braamspunt and Leiden quickly fell to the enemy, but Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam managed to offer resistance before it too was conquered.[6] Suriname was returned in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna[7]

During the 18th century, ships had to anchor at Braamspunt before being allowed to continue to Paramaribo.[8]

Nature reserve

In the late 19th century, the strategic importance of Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam and its redoubts started to decline,[3] and Braamspunt became a little fishing village with a tiny population.[9] The area is a nesting ground for turtles. The most important being the leatherback sea turtles, and the green sea turtles.[10] The area is also known for its diversity in bird life.[11] A dolphin protection has been setup, because dolphins are frequently often spotted near Braamspunt.[12]

During the 20 century, the importance of wildlife was recognized, and because Braamspunt together with Galibi Nature Reserve was one of the few remaining nesting grounds for the turtles, it was designed as bijzonder beheersgebied (special management area) in 2015 in order to protect the turtles, and the bird population.[13] As of 2017, attempts were being made to prevent disturbance by day tourism.[14]

Braamspunt can only be reached by boat from Paramaribo.[15]

References
  1. "Braamspunt nachttour". Boven Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. "Maatstaf. Jaargang 30". Digital Library for Dutch Literature (in Dutch). 1982. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  3. "Geschiedenis". Fort Nieuw Amsterdam (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  4. "Richting Noord". Vakantie Arena (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  5. "Het begin van de Bataafse Republiek". Geschiedenis van Zuid Holland (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  6. "Suriname Geschiedenis Deel 4: Geleende rijkdom en Einde slavenhandel". Suriname View (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  7. Treaty of Paris at Wikisource
  8. "Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur. Deel 3". Digital Library for Dutch Literature (in Dutch). 2002. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  9. "Vissersdorpje". Columbus Magazine (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  10. "Sea Turtles". Braamspunt.org. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  11. "Bird Life". Braamspunt.org. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  12. "Dolfijnprogramma". Green Heritage Fund Suriname via Archive.org (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  13. "Plantage Tour Commewijne". Suri Vision (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  14. "Zandafgraving Braamspunt onverstandig". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). 27 February 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  15. "Touromschrijving". Braamspunt Zeeschilpadden (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
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