Benzdorp

Benzdorp on the map of Suriname

Benzdorp is a place in the district Sipaliwini in Suriname to 105 meters above sea level.

It is located near the border with French Guiana on the River Lawa, the southern extension of the Marowijne. The town is dominated by the surrounding gold mines, where predominantly Brazilian Garimpeiros work. With gold exploration in the area around Benzdorp was started about 1875. In the first half of the 20th century gold mining lost then more and more important. During this time Benzdorp was virtually uninhabited. Only in the 1990s, the gold activities were revived. The place is now (2008) with his Airstrip an important stopover to nearby gold mines. There are also in Benzdorp a weather station.

In May 2006, the site was affected by severe flooding due to heavy rains. On 3 April 2008 crashed near the border town from an Antonov An-28, based in Paramaribo Blue Wing Airlines, all 19 occupants of the aircraft were killed.

Benzdorp is named after the former British consul and gold dealers Benz.