It was referred to by Seventeenth and Eighteenth-century European writers as Succadano or Succadana, noted for its port, and described as being "in the land of Candavangan" (i.e.

The main industries consists in the production of palm oil, rubber, and wood.

The current political leadership has made commitments to provide free education and health care to all residents and primary and secondary school fees that are paid elsewhere in Indonesia have been waived.

The NGO Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) also operates a clinic in Sukadana, which offers community-oriented conservation initiatives, such as offering discounted care to locals who commit to curbing illegal logging in the Gunung Palung National Park.

The airport has some connecting flights to Pontianak, Semarang via Pangkalan Bun, and Jakarta.