Land of many waters
- POSTED ON: 13 Jul, 2018
- TOTAL VIEWS: 1268 Views
- POSTED BY: Aarti Prashant
- ARTICLE POINTS: 100 Points
Guyana is located in the northern part of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the north, Suriname in the east, Venezuela in the west and Brazil in the south. The name ‘Guyana’ means ‘land of many waters’, and the country has a huge system of rivers and waterfalls.
It is considered part of the Caribbean region because of its cultural and historical connection with other Caribbean countries and Caribbean communities.
Due to global warming, there is a rise in sea levels. Almost 80 % of the population lives along the coast, and suffer for it. Sea walls with channel gates have been erected to control the rising water levels. Highlands cover about 66 % of Guyana’s area. Mount Roraima, in the Pakaraima Range, lies on the border of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. The grasslands of Rupununi are expansive, covering around 6000 sq. m. in length. On the other hand, the intermediate Savannah’s extend only up to 2000 sq. m.
Guyana has a tropical climate. But the coastal plain enjoys a pleasant climate through the year, because of the steady winds that blow in from the north east. They experience the monsoon twice a year — April to August, and then later in the year from November to January.
Click on the hotspots to learn more about Guyana’s geographic layout.
Cuisine
Caribbean, East Indian, Chinese and British influences can be seen in Guyanese cuisine. Indians arrived in Guyana in 1838, and the East Indians, as they are called, make up a majority of the population. Hence, meats in curry sauce along with roti are popular. From the Caribbean comes the cassava and sweet potatoes. Guyanese Pepperpot, the national dish, is made by simmering meat in spice and cassareep (an extract of the cassava root).
Chow mein, inspired by the Chinese, is popular. In the villages, people make bread at home, and also cheese and coconut rolls, and tarts, a hangover from the British days. Along the coast, fresh fish and seafood are favourites.
Culture
Africans form the second largest group in Guyana after the East Indians. Though Guyana is part of the North Atlantic coast of South America, it draws inspiration from the Caribbean countries. Unlike other South American countries, English is the official language of Guyana.
You must have read To Sir With Love or watched the movie. It is the biography of E.R. Braithwaite, a Guyanese author. Theatre, in the 19th century, had European overtones. The 20th century gave way to African and Indian Guyanese middle-class theatre. Reggae, calypso and Bollywood film music ring out from every corner of the land. Cricket and football are popular sports. Since Guyana does not have an independent international cricket team, this country is a part of the West Indies cricket team.