Apatou is home to Maroons of the Aluku, Paramacca, Ndyuka, and Saramaka tribes.

[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.

Most importantly, it led to the concentration in bigger villages and the near abandonment of smaller settlements.

[3] In 2010, Route Nationale opened connecting Apatou with Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, and the road network of French Guiana.

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