ABOUT GUYANA
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Geography & Regions

Geography
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, Guyana is South America’s best kept secret. Miles of golden savannahs, pristine virgin rainforest, hundreds of kilometres of coastline, and a hilly sand and clay region – Guyana has it all. Of the country’s population of 746,955 (2012 census), 87% lives along the coast, leaving the country’s lush interior untouched and ripe for exploration. Although no larger than Great Britain or Oregon in the USA, with 18% of the world’s tropical forests, it is one of the four regions in the world that makes up the 270 million hectares of Guiana Shield. With breathtaking waterfalls, mighty rivers, and a large diversity of wildlife and bird species, Guyana has emerged as a playground of the 21st century explorers and travellers.
Regions
Guyana’s landscape can be divided broadly into four main areas, known as our Natural Regions. The low coastal plains on the northern edge of the country are made up of marsh and swamp, with enormous mud flats stretching into the sea. The hilly sand and clay area is the smallest natural region area of the country and found along the coast. The forested highlands in the interior of the country offer a more dramatic setting, with dense tropical rainforest, mountains and plateaus, interspersed with eco-lodges and indigenous villages found nestling among its lush greenery. The Pakaraima Mountains guard the western border, with the famous Mount Roraima – the nation’s tallest peak (2762 meters) – proudly keeping its head above the clouds. The Kaieteur Plateau lies on the southern edge of the Pakaraimas, from where the Kaieteur Falls plunge down 741 feet as one the tallest and most powerful waterfalls in the world. On the southern edge, the expansive Kanuku Mountain Range and Acarai Mountains can be found. These mountains welcome you into the interiors savannahs of Guyana known locally as the Rupununi. The vast and golden landscape is home to a plethora of adventures waiting to be had.
The entire country is fragmented into 10 administrative regions.
● Region 1 – Barima Waini
● Region 2 – Pomeroon-Supenaam
● Region 3 – Essequibo Islands-West Demerara
● Region 4 – Demerara- Mahaica
● Region 5 – Mahaica-Berbice
● Region 6 – East Berbice – Corentyne
● Region 7 – Cuyuni-Mazaruni
● Region 8 – Potaro-Siparuni
● Region 9 – Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo
● Region 10 – Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice


Rivers
Latest Itineraries
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Guyana Past & Present

Pre-Columbian History
REBELLION
REPUBLIC NATION
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Searching for El Dorado


Sugarcane Movements
Guyana Now

Get Inspired
Get Inspired
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People Of Guyana

People
ON THE COASTLINE
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Languages
English Creolese is the most commonly spoken language in Guyana, along with separate dialects of the Indigenous Peoples. First-timers might find it hard to get a grasp immediately. Give yourself a couple of days talking with friendly locals and a read of the ‘A Plate – a Guyana Cook Up’, and you will feel like an insider. As you move south, you will find the locals speaking some amount of Portuguese just as well as their Brazilian neighbours.
Plan Your Trip

Hotel Two
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Hotel One
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Land Of The Giants

Jaguar-King of the Jungle
One of the more popular ‘giants’ and most famous animal in South America, the jaguar plays a vital role in its habitat by regulating other species’ populations and contributing to the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. The best places to spot these beautiful creatures are in Guyana’s Protected Areas and along remote rivers in the early mornings or late afternoons. While there is no guarantee that you may spot a jaguar on your first visit, excursions can be arranged to take travellers to the areas where the jaguars are most frequently seen.

Arapaima – World’s Largest Scaled Freshwater Fish
The network of Essequibo, Rupununi and the Rewa Rivers are home to oxbow lakes and ponds which house a healthy population of arapaima, the world’s largest scaled freshwater fish. Fishing enthusiasts from all over the world visit Guyana to try their luck at sustainable catch and release fly fishing for the species. As a protected species, this freshwater giant has to be constantly monitored by the village of Rewa and its partner organisations. This conservation effort has helped to restore the arapaima population to well over 4,000 in the area.

Harpy Eagle-The Most Majestic Bird Of Guyana
Often on the wish list of many birdwatchers, the Harpy Eagle can be found in the untouched canopies of the Kanuku Mountains and Iwokrama Rainforest. Pristine tropical rainforest is the perfect home for this majestic beauty as it offers them ample prey to feed. The Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge, Rewa Eco-Lodge and Surama Eco-lodge make the ideal launch pads to spot this species in the North Rupununi. Along the coast, the magnificent bird can often be spotted near the village of Warapoka.

Giant Anteater – World’s Largest Anteate
With small eyes and ears that contrast its large snout, body and tail, the world’s largest anteater is truly an extraordinary animal to see. They are found in the Iwokrama Forest and the Rupununi Savannahs. It takes a trained eye to spot these unique animals, but your chances increase if you stay at Karanambu Lodge, Waikin Ranch or Caiman House in the North Rupununi, or Wichabai and Saddle Mountain Ranch in the South Rupununi. They are known to have been spotted near these establishments more frequently than other sites.

Giant River Otter – World’s Largest and Rarest Otter
Guyana’s giant river otters are a surprise – the largest in the world. They were first documented at the Karanambu Lodge in the North Rupununi in 1988. World famous conservationist, Diane McTurk, worked tirelessly on rehabilitating otters in this region. Since then, a stable population has been present in the area, providing wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to observe these rare and extraordinary creatures. Nowadays giant river otters can be seen along expansive stretches of the Rupununi River and tributaries like the Rewa River.

Black Caiman – World’s Largest Alligator
The black caiman is the largest member of the alligatoridae family. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers, lakes and other freshwater habitats of South America. In Guyana, they are found in abundance in the waters of the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers. These species are monitored and protected by Caiman House Field Station and Guest House in the village of Yupukari. Guests staying at the lodge can opt to join the research crew at nights for caiman spotting and tagging activities. This ongoing study is run entirely by locals.

Victoria Amazonica —World’s Largest Lily
Guyana’s national flower and the world’s largest lily can be found in lakes and the shallow waters of the Amazon Basin. The leaves extend up to three metres in diameter – which are, surprisingly big and strong enough to withstand some say the weight of a baby. The flowers are white on the night that they bloom and turn pink on the second night.