Wanica District
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Wanica is a district of Suriname located in the north of the country. Wanica's capital city is Lelydorp, the second-largest city in Suriname. Wanica has a population of 118,222 and an area of 443 km2. Following neighboring Paramaribo, Wanica is the second most populated and urbanized district of Suriname. Two-thirds of the country's population live in these two districts.<ref name="census"/>
History
The district was created in 1983 out of parts of the former Suriname District. The district was named Wanica after Pad van Wanica, the main road, Wanica Creek (present in the district), and the fact that the name had already been used on old maps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The discovery of gold in Brokopondo and Sipaliwini lead to the construction of the Lawa Railway and growth of the villages next to the railway line,<ref name="suriname2">Template:Cite web</ref> and especially Kofi Djompo.<ref name="surinameview"/> The railway line was decommissioned in 1986.<ref name="Snijders">Armand Snijders: De flop van Lely. Template:Webarchive Parbode, Surinames Magazine, 1 April 2008.</ref>
The district's capital, originally called Kofi Djompo, was renamed in 1905 for Dutch architect Cornelis Lely, who was responsible for many large construction projects in the Netherlands and was also governor of Suriname.<ref name="surinameview">Template:Cite web</ref> Javanese immigration and the closeness to Paramaribo, have resulted in a partially suburban, and still partially agricultural district.<ref name="suriname2"/> The beginning of the 21st century have seen many building projects in the district.<ref name="planning">Template:Cite web</ref>
Rice used to be the main crops grown in Wanica, but the late 20th century saw a shift towards animal husbandry. Fruit and vegetables are of lesser significance.<ref name="planning"/> Trade and businesses have increased, and are mainly located around Lelydorp. Lelydorp needs a clear city structure and has many agricultural areas close to the centre and neighbourhoods.<ref name="planning"/>
Resorts
Wanica is divided into 7 resorts (ressorten):