1. Do you know what is on Fort Island on the Essequibo River?
Within the compound of the Fort is the Armoury, which was used for the storage of ammunition and
cannons, used during the time of Dutch occupancy. Interesting to know is the Court of Policy that served
multiple functions such as, a church, court, seat of government and sales office back then in the 18th
century, today, still serves as a church building for the people of this island.
This site was declared a National Monument in 1999, and is maintained by the National Trust of Guyana.
2. Do you know why the Umana Yana was constructed in 1972!
In 1972, members of the Non-Aligned Movement and Third World Nations chose Guyana as host of the
first meeting of the Non-Aligned Nations. A committee of government officials was dispatched to identify
a building to accommodate the conference. The idea of an Amerindian benab enthused the committee,
and thus the Umana Yana was born.
3. Do You Know who discovered our National Flower?
Guyana’s national flower, the Victoria Regia, was discovered and named by Robert Schomburgh, a
German botanist, in 1837, while he led an expedition into the interior of what was then British Guiana.
The flower is perennial in South America. The largest flower can measure 10 inches to one foot in
diameter. When it opens, the smell that emanate is that of a ripe tropical fruit.
4. Did you know that many believe that the Hoatzin evolved from Dinosaurs?
Guyana’s national bird is the Hoatzin also known as the Canje Pheasant because of its prominent
presence on the banks of the Canje river. The hoatzin is a very primitive looking bird that has a close
resemblance to some of the earliest bird fossils; thus, it’s believed to have evolved from dinosaurs. Its
scientific name, Opisthocomus hoatzin, means "pheasant with a crest down its back." This bird has a
short fat body, stout legs and feet, a long broad tail, long scruffy neck, and a tiny head capped by a
crest of spiky feathers.
5. Did you know that Stabroek Market was built on land and water?
The Stabroek Market is Guyana’s largest and busiest market. It is housed both on land and water. The
name Stabroek is derived from Guyana’s Dutch ancestry and the building was originally made of wood.
The new market, made of cast iron, a more durable material, was designed and built by two American
firms. Once described as a ‘Bizarre Bazaar’, anything from gold jewellery to fruits and vegetables can be
found.
6. Parliament building is in existence since 1833!
Designed by Joseph Hadfield and constructed in 1833, it was formally handed over to the British colonial
legislature on the 5th August 1834. At this site Guyana's emancipated slaves purchased for the first
time, their own land. To this day, Parliament still meets at this historic site, and was addressed by Queen
Elizabeth the Second during her four-day state visit to Guyana in February 1994.
7. If you do not visit this place, your trip to Georgetown would be incomplete!
No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The
Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collection of tropical flora in the Caribbean and is
laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and a bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyana’s wildlife can
be observed at the Zoo including a wide variety of tropical fishes and birds.
8. Ever wondered what Guyana’s exact geographical dimension is?
Guyana extends over an area of 83,000 square miles (214,969 sq. km) on the northeast shoulder of the
South American continent. The Atlantic Ocean stretches for 270 miles along the coast of Guyana, but
the country's major thrust is southward and inland, for a distance of 450 miles. Guyana borders on
Venezuela in the west, Brazil in the south, and Suriname in the east.
9. The Seawalls!
Though it was the design of Dutch engineers, the Sea walls that stretch 280 miles along Guyana’s
coastal belt to protect it from the ravages of the Atlantic, was manually assembled by African slaves.
Today these walls not only serve as a protective barrier, but they also suffice as a place where people
take their troubles and toss them into the arms of the refreshing breeze of the Atlantic.
10. The Promenade Gardens
These attractive gardens occupy a complete city block. The garden’s ambiance today is one of
peacefulness and serenity. Prominent features of the gardens include a bandstand, a fountain, and a
monument of Mahatma Gandhi.
11. Islands of the Essequibo
Did you know that there is an island for each day of the year in the Essequibo River? Yes, over 365
Islands are cloaked in the majestic Essequibo. Some of the famous ones are now tourist attractions and
hosts to various nature resorts.
12. Do you know how Kaieteur Falls got its name?
There is a legend behind Guyana natural treasure, the world's highest one drop waterfalls. The name of
the fall commemorates Chief Kai, one of the great old chieftains of the once powerful Patamona tribe. He
committed self-sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls in order that Makonaima, the Great Spirit,
would save the tribe from being destroyed by the Caribs. He also did it to appease the Caribs, a raiding
coastal tribe, and thereby spared his people from annihilation.
Within the compound of the Fort is the Armoury, which was used for the storage of ammunition and
cannons, used during the time of Dutch occupancy. Interesting to know is the Court of Policy that served
multiple functions such as, a church, court, seat of government and sales office back then in the 18th
century, today, still serves as a church building for the people of this island.
This site was declared a National Monument in 1999, and is maintained by the National Trust of Guyana.
2. Do you know why the Umana Yana was constructed in 1972!
In 1972, members of the Non-Aligned Movement and Third World Nations chose Guyana as host of the
first meeting of the Non-Aligned Nations. A committee of government officials was dispatched to identify
a building to accommodate the conference. The idea of an Amerindian benab enthused the committee,
and thus the Umana Yana was born.
3. Do You Know who discovered our National Flower?
Guyana’s national flower, the Victoria Regia, was discovered and named by Robert Schomburgh, a
German botanist, in 1837, while he led an expedition into the interior of what was then British Guiana.
The flower is perennial in South America. The largest flower can measure 10 inches to one foot in
diameter. When it opens, the smell that emanate is that of a ripe tropical fruit.
4. Did you know that many believe that the Hoatzin evolved from Dinosaurs?
Guyana’s national bird is the Hoatzin also known as the Canje Pheasant because of its prominent
presence on the banks of the Canje river. The hoatzin is a very primitive looking bird that has a close
resemblance to some of the earliest bird fossils; thus, it’s believed to have evolved from dinosaurs. Its
scientific name, Opisthocomus hoatzin, means "pheasant with a crest down its back." This bird has a
short fat body, stout legs and feet, a long broad tail, long scruffy neck, and a tiny head capped by a
crest of spiky feathers.
5. Did you know that Stabroek Market was built on land and water?
The Stabroek Market is Guyana’s largest and busiest market. It is housed both on land and water. The
name Stabroek is derived from Guyana’s Dutch ancestry and the building was originally made of wood.
The new market, made of cast iron, a more durable material, was designed and built by two American
firms. Once described as a ‘Bizarre Bazaar’, anything from gold jewellery to fruits and vegetables can be
found.
6. Parliament building is in existence since 1833!
Designed by Joseph Hadfield and constructed in 1833, it was formally handed over to the British colonial
legislature on the 5th August 1834. At this site Guyana's emancipated slaves purchased for the first
time, their own land. To this day, Parliament still meets at this historic site, and was addressed by Queen
Elizabeth the Second during her four-day state visit to Guyana in February 1994.
7. If you do not visit this place, your trip to Georgetown would be incomplete!
No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The
Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collection of tropical flora in the Caribbean and is
laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and a bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyana’s wildlife can
be observed at the Zoo including a wide variety of tropical fishes and birds.
8. Ever wondered what Guyana’s exact geographical dimension is?
Guyana extends over an area of 83,000 square miles (214,969 sq. km) on the northeast shoulder of the
South American continent. The Atlantic Ocean stretches for 270 miles along the coast of Guyana, but
the country's major thrust is southward and inland, for a distance of 450 miles. Guyana borders on
Venezuela in the west, Brazil in the south, and Suriname in the east.
9. The Seawalls!
Though it was the design of Dutch engineers, the Sea walls that stretch 280 miles along Guyana’s
coastal belt to protect it from the ravages of the Atlantic, was manually assembled by African slaves.
Today these walls not only serve as a protective barrier, but they also suffice as a place where people
take their troubles and toss them into the arms of the refreshing breeze of the Atlantic.
10. The Promenade Gardens
These attractive gardens occupy a complete city block. The garden’s ambiance today is one of
peacefulness and serenity. Prominent features of the gardens include a bandstand, a fountain, and a
monument of Mahatma Gandhi.
11. Islands of the Essequibo
Did you know that there is an island for each day of the year in the Essequibo River? Yes, over 365
Islands are cloaked in the majestic Essequibo. Some of the famous ones are now tourist attractions and
hosts to various nature resorts.
12. Do you know how Kaieteur Falls got its name?
There is a legend behind Guyana natural treasure, the world's highest one drop waterfalls. The name of
the fall commemorates Chief Kai, one of the great old chieftains of the once powerful Patamona tribe. He
committed self-sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls in order that Makonaima, the Great Spirit,
would save the tribe from being destroyed by the Caribs. He also did it to appease the Caribs, a raiding
coastal tribe, and thereby spared his people from annihilation.
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| Guyana Info |
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