port, northwestern Suriname. It lies on the Nickerie River, near the mouth of the Courantyne (Dutch Corantijn) River, 3 miles (5 km) from the Atlantic coast. Rice is the principal crop grown in the area, and cocoa, baboen lumber, and balata, used in making golf balls, are other exports. Small oceangoing vessels can reach the port, and there is regular service to Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, about 150 miles (240 km) to the east, to which Nieuw Nickerie is also linked by road. Pop. (1996 est.) 11,100.