Apatou

Apatou (French pronunciation: [apatu]) is a commune in French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France in South America. Apatou is home to Maroons of the Aluku, Paramacca, Ndyuka, and Saramaka tribes.[3]

Apatou
Commune
Canoe taxis at Apatou
Canoe taxis at Apatou
Coat of arms of Apatou
Coat of arms
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana
Location of Apatou
Coordinates: 5°09′12″N 54°20′10″W
CountryFrance
Overseas region and departmentFrench Guiana
ArrondissementSaint-Laurent-du-Maroni
IntercommunalityOuest Guyanais
Government
 • Mayor (2021–2026) Moïse Edwin[1]
Area
1
2,020 km2 (780 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2020)[2]
9,582
 • Density4.7/km2 (12/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−03:00
INSEE/Postal code
97360 /97317
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

History

The town of Apatou was founded in 1882 as Moutendé.[3] It was renamed after Captain Apatou of the Aluku.[4] In the late 19th century, Apatou was a guide for the explorer Jules Crevaux. On 7 September 1885, Jules Brunetti opened a Catholic mission in the village.[5] In 1891, Apatou mediated between France and the Colony of Suriname with regards to the border, and allied the Aluku with France.[4] He also united all the different tribes on the French side.[3]

Apatou was up to 1969 part of the Inini territory which allowed for an autonomous and self sufficient tribal system for the Maroons without clear borders.[6] Along with the commune, came a government structure, and francisation. Most importantly, it led to the concentration in bigger villages and the near abandonment of smaller settlements.[6]

The commune of Apatou was created on 12 November 1976 by detaching its territory from the commune of Grand-Santi-Papaichton (since then renamed Grand-Santi).[3]

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1967 318—    
1974 453+5.18%
1982 618+3.96%
1990 2,451+18.79%
1999 3,628+4.45%
2007 6,357+7.26%
2012 7,257+2.68%
2017 9,241+4.95%
Source: INSEE[7]

Transport
Apatou, 2004

The villages in the commune could only to be reached by boat from the Maroni River.[3] In 2010, Route Nationale opened connecting Apatou with Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, and the road network of French Guiana. The road was opened with the Tour of Guiana.[8] The road is scheduled to be extended to Maripasoula. Construction work on the section to Papaïchton is planned to begin in 2021.[9]

Sports

Apatou is home to ASC Agouado football team who play at the Stade de Moutendé.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
  2. "Populations légales 2020". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 29 December 2022.
  3. "Guide Apatou". Petit Futé (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids, vol 78 issue 3-4 (1 January 2004). "The explorer as hero: 'Le Fidèle Apatou' in the French wilderness". New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids. 78 (3–4): 197–227. doi:10.1163/13822373-90002512. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. Moomou, Jean (2009). "La mission du père Brunetti chez les Boni de la Guyane française à la fin du xixe siècle". Histoire et missions chrétiennes (in French). 12 (2009/4): 115–144. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. "The Aluku and the Communes in French Guiana". Cultural Survival. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  8. "La route d'Apatou raccommodée". Guyane la Première (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  9. "Route Maripasoula-Papaichton : 1 million d'euros par kilomètre". France Guyane (in French). Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  10. "ASC Agouado". Soccer Way. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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