Benzdorp
| Benzdorp | ||
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Coordinates: 3 ° 41 ′ N , 54 ° 5 ′ W Benzdorp on the map of Suriname
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| Basic data | ||
| Country | Suriname | |
| District | Sipaliwini | |
| Detailed data | ||
| Waters | Lawa | |
| Time zone | UTC −3 | |
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Benzdorp is a place in the Sipaliwini district in Suriname at 105 meters above sea level.
It is located near the border with French Guiana on the Lawa River , the southern extension of the Marowijne . The place is characterized by the surrounding gold mines, in which mainly Brazilian garimpeiros work. Gold mining in the area around Benzdorp began around 1875. In the first half of the 20th century, gold mining then lost its importance. During this time Benzdorp was practically uninhabited. Gold activities only revived in the 1990s. Today (2008) the place with its airstrip is an important stopover to the surrounding gold mines. There is also a weather station in Benzdorp.
In May 2006 the place was hit by severe flooding as a result of heavy rainfall. On April 3, 2008, an Antonov An-28 of the Paramaribo- based Blue Wing Airlines crashed near the border town , killing all 19 occupants of the aircraft.
Benzdorp is named after the former English consul and gold dealer Benz.