Social Studies - Ministry of Education

1

Social Studies

Grade Five

Term 1

2

Table of Contents

TOPIC: The Family ...................................................................................................................................... 4

SUB-TOPIC: The People Who Came ....................................................................................................... 4

THE AMERINDIANS .......................................................................................................................... 5

THE EUROPEANS ............................................................................................................................ 12

THE AFRICANS ................................................................................................................................ 16

PORTUGUESE ................................................................................................................................... 24

THE EAST INDIANS ........................................................................................................................ 27

THE CHINESE ................................................................................................................................... 32

TOPIC: Politeness ....................................................................................................................................... 35

SUB-TOPIC: Rules for better living ....................................................................................................... 35

SUB-TOPIC: Showing respect for public infrastructure. ....................................................................... 37

TOPIC: Our Community ..................................................................................................................... 39

SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours ........................................................... 39

TOPIC: Our Community ...................................................................................................................... 40

SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours ............................................................ 40

TOPIC: Our Community ...................................................................................................................... 41

SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours .............................................................................. 41

TOPIC: Our Community ............................................................................................................................. 42

SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours (Continued) ............................................................... 42

TOPIC: Our Community ..................................................................................................................... 44

SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM .................................................................................................................. 44

TOPIC: Our Community ............................................................................................................................. 47

SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM (continued) ................................................................................................... 47

TOPIC: Guyana’s Natural Regions. .......................................................................................................... 50

SUB - TOPIC: What is a Natural Region? ............................................................................................ 50


SUB - TOPIC: The Low Coastal Plain .................................................................................................. 51





TOPIC: Guyana’s Natural Regions. ............................................................................................................ 54

3

SUB - TOPIC: The Hilly Sand and Clay Region ................................................................................... 54






SUB - TOPIC: The Highland Region .................................................................................................... 57


SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs.................................................................................................. 58


SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs ............................................................................................. 59

4

TOPIC: The Family

SUB-TOPIC: The People Who Came

The family is made up of one race which is the human race. The human race was first divided

into three main groups:

1. Negroid (black)

2. Mongoloid (yellow)

3. Caucasoid (white)

Over the years, these groups have inter-married, causing the world to have varying ethnic

groups. In Guyana, there are six main ethnic groups:

1. Amerindians

2. Europeans

3. Africans

4. Portuguese

5. East Indians

6. Chinese

There is a seventh ethnic group, made up of any two or more of the above, to form the mixed

race.

5

THE AMERINDIANS

1. The Amerindians were the first set of people to live in Guyana.

2. The Amerindians were the Indigenous people of Guyana (first people)

3. Amerindians were also called the American Indians

4. The Amerindians came from Asia, in a place called Mongolia

5. The Amerindians crossed the Bering Strait to reach North America

6. Alaska is the first part of America the Amerindians reached.

7. The Bering Strait is a narrow body of water which was frozen at that time

8. The frozen body of water was also called the Ice Bridge

9. The Ice Bridge connected Asia and North America

10. They crossed the Ice Bridge/ Bering Strait because they followed animals/ cattle where

ever they went and ended up in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

11. The Amerindians left Asia during the Ice age, following their animals ( buffalo and seals)

as they moved from one feeding ground to another (continent or country)

12. Their cattle / animals walked through the continent of North America into Central

America, the Caribbean and throughout South America

13. Guyana is a part of the continent of South America

14. They are nine Amerindian Tribes in Guyana. FOUR main tribes and FIVE sub tribes that

settled in Guyana

6

The Four main Amerindian tribes were

1. The Arawaks

2. Caribs

3. Warraus

4. Wapishanas

The Five sub tribes

1. Patamonas

2. Makusi

3. Wai Wais

4. Akawaios

5. Arecunas

The Amerindians came to Guyana in search of:

7

1. warmer lands

2. grazing pasture for their cattle

3. The Amerindians depend on the animals for their food and as the animals moved, they

moved also.

THE WAY OF LIFE

1. The Amerindians were hunters and fishermen

2. They knew how to trap animals for food

3. They were skillful in making weapons out of stones and bones

4. They used their stone and bone knife to scrape the skin of animals to make clothing

5. They later learned how to cultivate the land and produce food from plants

Therefore, we can say that the Amerindians obtained their food from

1. Farming

2. Hunting

3. Fishing

Some foods that they plant (food from roots):

1. Yams

2. Cassava

3. Sweet potatoes

Food from seed:

1. Maize

2. Peanut

They use these foods as their main diet (staples)

1. Cassava is used to prepare food such as

8

2. Cassareep is used to make pepper pot

3. Farine is used to make drink such as alcoholic beverages like piwari and cassiri

DANCE

1. Mari Mari

2. Baboon

3. Carrion crow

9

BELIEFS

Each Amerindian tribe has its own beliefs and customs, for example, Patamonas believe in

Mokanaima who is their God or the supreme being.

The Amerindians believe in spirit Gods, for example;

1. Makonama- the supreme God of heaven and earth

2. Pujaikma- mountain spirit of diseases such as influenza etc.

3. Maigok- a forest spirit who is invisible (who you cannot see) when he attacks, he causes

vomiting, fever and fits

4. Kanaima- an evil male spirit which goes around killing other Amerindians for some

wrong they did him/her or members of his/her family

5. Massacuraman

6. Bush dai dai

CONTRIBUTION TO GUYANESE SOCIETY

Amerindians contribution to the Guyanese Society:

1. They named rivers (Cuyuni Mazarun)

2. Water falls (kaieteur Fall, Amatuki water fall)

3. Guiana (Guyana) is an Amerindian word meaning” Land of many waters” or watery

country

4. Mashramani – means celebration after hard cooperative work

10

5. Food (tasso, pepper pot, cassava bread)

CRAFTS

1. Hammocks which is used by many Guyanese

2. Nibbi furniture

3. Baskets

4. Tibisiri mat

5. Ornaments

6. Jewellery which are made from beads

Amerindian settled in places like:

1. Mahaica

2. Mahaicony

3. Abary river

4. Mazuruni river

5. Orealla

6. Pakaraima

7. Pomeroon

8. Canje

11

1. The head of an Amerindian settlement or reservation is called CAPTAIN or

TOUCHAUS

2. Amerindians traditional homes are called benabs

3. Their homes are made out of:

*Troolie palm

*Eta palm

*Shingle

*Wood bark

12

THE EUROPEANS

1. The Europeans were the second set of people to arrive in Guiana (Guyana)

2. Four (4) groups of Europeans came to British Guiana (Guyana), there are:

1. Dutch from the Netherlands

2. Spanish from Spain

3. French from France

4. English from England

These groups all came from the continent of Europe

Reason why the Europeans came to Guiana (Guyana):

1. They came in search for the golden city of Eldorado

2. They came in search of new lands

Reasons why the Europeans settled:

1. They came to cultivate the soil

2. To trade with the Amerindians

The Europeans traded with the Amerindian through a system called Barter

Bartering is the exchange of goods and services without the use of money

The Europeans exchanged with the Amerindians:

1. Knives

2. Axes

3. Lengths of cloth

4. Coloured beads

13

The Amerindians exchange with the Europeans:

1. Hemp (used for making rope for ships)

2. Annatto dye (dye cloth)

3. Food stuff (butter, cheese)

1. In order for the Europeans to trade with the Amerindians they had to setup trading post,

where the two groups could meet to barter.

2. The Europeans built forts to protect themselves from invaders

3. The Dutch were the first to set up trading post and built forts

Some forts were

1. Fort Kyk-over-al (see overall) can be found at the confluence (where two or more rivers

meet) of the Essequibo River, Cuyuni and Mazaruni River

2. Fort Zeelandia (Flag Island) can be found at the mouth of the Essequibo River

3. Fort Nova Zeelandia can be found up the Pomeroon River

4. Fort St. Andries which was built at the confluence (where two or more rivers meet) of the

Canje and Berbice River

5. Fort Nassau was built fifty miles up the Berbice River

The European recognized that the soil was suitable for cultivating tobacco and other crops

1. Due to the demand for tobacco in Europe the Europeans decided to plant tobacco in

British Guiana, then later planted cotton and sugar

2. Sugar was also needed for making cakes, biscuits and sweetener for beverages

3. In order to meet the demand for sugar the European enslaved the Amerindians

14

4. Many of the Amerindians ran away into the forest because they were not accustomed to

hard work on the plantation, while many of them died from diseases brought by the

Europeans.

5. In order to continue the cultivation when the Amerindians ran away, the Europeans

decided to use Africans as slaves

6. After slavery was abolished, they used the Portuguese, East-Indians and Chinese as

indentured labourers

CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE EUROPEANS

1. Language/English-Guyanese speak English because Guyana was a colony of the English-

speaking Great Britain.

2. Food such as pastries, puddings, pies

3. Dress- suit and tie, aprons

Places that were named by the English

1. Bourda 2. Lethem

15

3. Kingston

4. Victoria

5. Wales

6. Anna Regina

7. Charity

8. Georgetown

Places named by the Dutch

1. Stabroek

2. Beterverwagting

3. Uitvlugt

4. Vreed-en-Hoop

5. Soesdyke

Places named by the French

1. La Repentir

2. La Resouvenir

3. Chateau Margot

4. Malgretout

5. La Grange

Places named by the Spanish

1. Santa Rosa

2. El Dorado

1. The Europeans were the first to build churches and schools

2. The first church was the Roman Catholic Church

3. The Dutch divided Guyana into three counties and each county had its own capital

Europeans made crafts out of pottery

1. Vase

2. Mug

16

THE AFRICANS

1. The Africans who came to the Caribbean and Guyana came from off the coast of West Africa

in the continent of Africa

2. They were the third ethnic group who came to British Guiana (Guyana)

3. Some countries Africans came from are

1. The Congo

2. Cameroon

3. Togo

4. Mali

5. Gambia

Slavery was existing in Africa before the Europeans brought it here in Guyana

1. Africans came to Guyana as slaves to work on the sugar plantations.

2. A slave is someone who works very hard without being paid.

3. The system under which the slaves worked and lived was called SLAVERY

4. They came by ships and had to cross the Atlantic Ocean

5. The journey from Africa to the Caribbean and Guyana was called the Middle Passage.

6. It was a horrifying experience for the slaves which lasted from six to ten weeks.

7. The journey of the Europeans from Europe to Africa and the Caribbean and back to

Europe was called the Triangular Trade.

17

The Europeans obtained slaves by:

1. Capturing them and luring them into ships

2. Capture through tribal wars

3. Raiding parties

Slaves experienced some difficulties during the middle passage

1. The men were chained with iron shackles around their ankles and joined by chains looped

to the shackles of their neighbours.

2. The women and children were packed below deck.

3. There were food shortages, many Africans died from hunger while many others killed

themselves in the Atlantic Ocean.

4. When the Africans reached Guyana, they were exchanged for goods since there was no

common currency existing in West Africa.

18

Some of the goods were:

1. Pieces of cloth

2. Gold dust

3. Copper bars

4. Knives

5. Glass beads

6. Cutlass

7. Liquor

19

Life on the plantation for the Africans

1. The homes the Africans lived in was called adobe which was made of very flimsy

materials

2. It was very low and had no chimney ventilation

3. Each family had an iron pot and a blanket for each individual to sleep on at night.

4. Africans were given clothing once a year or twice in every eighteen months (18)

5. The men received a coarse woolen jacket, hat and canvas which made trousers

6. The women were given the same kind of clothing while those who had young children

were given a hammock called baba

7. Their food consisted of vegetables and salted fish. Whenever plantain, cassava and yam

were grown, they formed the main diet of the slaves

Difficulties faced on the plantation

Some difficulties the Africans faced on the plantations were:

1. They had to work for very long hours (6am to 6pm daily)

2. They were given their first meal at midday

3. They were beaten or flog with a whip

4. Some slaves were branded with hot iron, hung on wheels and had parts of their bodies

chopped off.

Types of slaves:

1. House or Domestic slaves

2. Field slaves who worked in the cane fields

3. Factory slaves who worked in the factory

Due to harsh punishment slaves rebelled. Some rebellions or revolt by the slaves were:

20

1. Berbice Slave Rebellion- took place on the 23rd

February 1763 on plantation

Magdalenenburg, led by Cuffy

2. East Coast Slave Insurrection- took place in August 1823 on plantation Le Resouvenir.

In remembrance of these slaves, monuments were erected

1. 1763 monument- located at Square of the Revolution in Georgetown

2. Damon’s Monument-located in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast

Ending of Slavery/Abolition

1. The period of transition called Apprenticeship lasted 6 years for field slaves and 4 years

for house slaves.

2. During this time Africans worked for fixed number of hours each week and received

small wages/money.

21

3. After the apprenticeship period, slaves were emancipated or freed

4. Slaves were no longer forced to work on the plantation under harsh conditions

5. Slaves could decide whether to work or not

6. Ex-slaves pooled their wages/money and bought abandoned plantations

7. The first plantation slaves bought was plantation Northbrook now called Victoria

8. Ex-slaves also bought the first community found in Essequibo called Queenstown

9. Buying of villages and communities by the ex-slaves was called Village Movement

Some people who started the campaign to end slavery were:

1. Thomas Buxton

2. Thomas Clarkson

3. Granville Sharp

4. George Canning

5. James Ramsay

6. William Wilberforce

Some villages bought by ex-slaves are:

1. Buxton

2. Friendship

3. Peter’s Hall

4. Plaisance

5 Ithaca

6 Bushlot

22

African contributed to the Guyanese society in many ways:

Food

1. cook-up-rice

2. yam and plantain foo-foo

3. conkie

Dress:

1. Dashikis

2. Wraps

3. Headties

Jewellery:

1. Legbands

2. Armbands

3. Chains of beads

Musical instruments:

1. Drums (bongos,kittles and great talking drums)

2. Marimbas

3. Marracas

Festival and beliefs:

1. Cumfa

2. Masquerade

3. Obeah

4. Voodoo

23

Crafts:

1. Weaving of mats

2. Baskets

3. Pots and jars (made from clay mud, carvings)

24

PORTUGUESE

1. The Portuguese were the fourth 4th

group of people who came to Guyana

2. The Portuguese came from Madeira

3. The first batch of Portuguese came to Guyana on the 3rd

of May 1838

4. The name of the ship that bought the first batch of Portuguese to Guiana was Louisa

Baillie.

5. The Portuguese worked on the plantation under the system called indentureship

6. They were the first group of indentured immigrants to arrive in Guyana

7. Indentured ship lasted for the period of five years

8. After the five years were over many of the Portuguese left the plantation and opened

businesses, eg, groceries

9. They also did small scale trading

The reasons why Portuguese came to Guyana were

1. To replace the Africans on the sugar plantation

2. To increase the white population

Some plantation were the Portuguese were sent are:

1. Plantation La Patience

2. Plantation Liliendaal

3. Plantation Thomas now known as Thomas Lands in Georgetown

25

Portuguese contribution to Guyana society

Food

1. Garlic pork

2. Beef stew

3. Red bean soup

4. Pancakes

Music or musical instruments

1. Rajas (a type of banjo)

2. Braggs (small Portuguese guitar)

26

Customs or beliefs

1. They believed in the holy spirit of Pentecost

2. Christmas brass

3. Businesses –J.P Santos, Banks DIH Ltd, John Fernandes, Fogarty’s Ltd

27

THE EAST INDIANS

4. East Indians were the fifth ethnic group to arrive in British Guyana

5. They came from India which is found in the continent of Asia.

6. The first group of East Indians came from the hilly districts of Chota, Nagpur, Burdwan

and Bancoorah, which all were close to Calcutta.

7. They were called East Indians because they came from the eastern side of the world.

8. The East Indians came to Guyana by ships or vessels:

The Whitby

The Hesperus

The Whitby sailed from India on January 13, 1838 with 249 immigrants. The vessel took 112

days to arrive in Guyana on May 5, 1838. Five persons died on the voyage(journey)which took

place on the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean

The Hesperus leave Calcutta on January 29, 1838 and journeyed the Indian and Atlantic Ocean

with 165 persons on board. The journey took about 96 days to arrive in Guyana on May 5.

Thirteen persons died on that voyage

1. The East Indians immigrants were sent to different plantations such as:

1. Highbury and Waterloo in Berbice

2. Bel Vue and Vreed-en-hoop in Region three

28

Some difficulties during the journey

1. Overcrowded ships

2. Some of the Immigrants got sick and died because there was a shortage of medicine

3. Shortage of food

Reasons for coming

1. They came to work on the sugar plantation as indentured immigrants/servants

2. They signed an agreement to work on the plantation for a period of five years

They were given:

1. Food /ration

2. Lodging

3. Clothing

4. Medical attendance and supplies

5. Wages for their labour.

29

Life on the plantation

1. Life was very difficult for both young and old

2. They worked for long hours, from 6am to 6pm

3. The children between the ages of 5 to 10 had to work in the creole gang. They had to:

1. Clear drains and trenches

2. Carry water to the cane cutters

3. Put manure/mold on the young sugar cane plants

4. Take care of animals.

5. The East Indians’ homes were called logies

6. East Indians were free to return to India after the five years period

7. Those who stayed were given land in exchange for their passage

8. The East Indians used the land to build homes and places of worship

9. Land development schemes were set up by the government to encourage the East Indians

to stay.

Places where the Land development scheme were set up were in:

1. Essequibo – Vergenoegen, Huis’t Dieren and Anna Regina

2. Demerara – Cane Grove, La Bonne Mere, Helena and Nooten Zuil

3. Berbice – Bush Lot, Whim and Black Bush Polder

1. The East Indians used their scheme for farming

2. Rice was a major crop grown on the farm

3. They were the first to develop the rice industry because rice was planted on a large scale

There were many strikes and disturbances on the sugar plantations during the Indian

Indentureship. Many East Indians lost their lives.

30

Some plantations where the strikes took place were:

1. The Devonshire Castle riots in September 1872

The workers were protesting for high wages and five of them were killed and seven were

wounded.

2. On Plantation Friends in Berbice on May 6, 1903

The protest was for inadequate payment for the work done by the indentured immigrants

Six of them were killed by police from the unruly crowd

3. Plantation Lusignan on September 18,1912

One person was shot

4. Plantation Enmore on June 16, 1948

The workers were protesting against the cut and load system

They had to cut the canes and then load them on to the punts with very little increase in

pay. Five of the workers were killed and 14 injured.

A monument was erected in remembrance of the five workers called Enmore Martyrs

The names of the Martyrs are:

1. Surujbally

2. Rambarran

3. Lalabajee

4. Harry

5. Pooran

31

The East Indians’ contributed to the Guyanese Society in

the following ways:

1. FOOD- Dhal and rice, roti and curry, Dhal puri

and sweet meats

2. Dress – sari, orhni, shalwars, kurtas and lahenga

3. FESTIVALS - Eid-Ul- Adha, Eid- Ul-Fitr,

Youman Nabi, Phagwah, Diwali

4. JEWELLERY- Bracelets, Bangles, Brooches,

anklets, finger ring

5. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS- sitars, mandolins,

tassa

6. DANCES- kathack, nagara, odissi

Similarities between the Africans and the East Indians

1. They both worked on the sugar plantation for long

hours

2. They both were beaten and treated badly.

Differences between the Africans and the East Indians are:

1. The East Indians were paid while the Africans were not paid for their labour.

2. The Africans slaves could be sold at any time to a new master but the East Indians could

not be sold.

3. The East Indians were contracted to work for five years and returned to India if they

chose to while the Africans had to stay and work.

32

THE CHINESE

The Chinese came from the continent of Asia

1.The first batch of Chinese immigrants came to Guyana on January12, 1853

2.The first ship to arrive in Guyana with 262 out of 305 passengers, about 43 of them died during

the voyage.

The ships which brought the Chinese to Guyana were:

1. Lord Elgin

2. The Glentanner

3. Samuel Boddington

The Chinese came to work on the sugar plantation as indentured immigrants

Some sugar estates where the Chinese were sent to work were:

1. Blankenerburg

2. Pouderoyen

3. Union

4. La Jalousie

5. Schoon Ord

6. Stewartville

7. Anna Regina Hague

8. Harlem

9. Anna Catherina

The Chinese contributions to the Guyanese

society

FOOD – fried rice, wanton soup, chop suey, sweet

and sour Relishes, chowmein

33

CLOTHES- tunics, sarongs, cheongsams

FESTIVALS- Chinese New Year, each year is named after an animal

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT- Symbols

DANCE- Dragon dance

CRAFT- Embroidery

34

35

TOPIC: Politeness

SUB-TOPIC: Rules for better living

Definition

Politeness means having or showing good manners or respect for other people. Being polite helps

you to have appropriate and considerate behaviour which will enable you to form good manners

and become more socially attentive when you grow up.

Breaking of rules:

1. Rules broken at home and school result in punishment of some form.

2. Rules broken at work place can result in one being disciplined or fired.

3. Rules broken at society or country levels result in one being punished by the courts.

4. Rules broken in games can lead to disqualification.

5. Rules broken in travelling can result in an accident

36

School rules are important for the effective management of the school.

Some school rules are:

- Attend school regularly & punctually.

- Pupils must always be dressed in uniforms.

- Pupils must obey the bell etc.

Some home rules are:

- Obey your parents.

- Show respect for older relatives.

- Be courteous to your friends and relatives.

Some rules when among elders:

- Show respect for elders

- Greet elderly people.

- help elderly people.

Some rules for travelling:

-Wear seat belts, helmets or life jackets.

- Do not smoke.

- Do not carry firearm, weapons or explosive.

Some rules for the road:

-Walk on the right-hand side of the road.

- Use the pedestrian crossing.

- Vehicles must use speed limit.

37

Some rules for sports and games:

-Obey decisions made by the referee or umpire.

- Follow given instructions.

- Be friendly to your opponent.

SUB-TOPIC: Showing respect for public infrastructure.

Infrastructure refers to permanent structures found in our community and country. Some

infrastructures found in our community are roads, bridges, landmarks, properties, private and

public buildings, monuments, water systems, utility posts (such as telephone and electricity), bus

sheds, water hydrants, pump stations, sluices and kokers, play grounds and parks.

All infrastructures in our community must be protected because they are of service to the people

in the community.

Some ways by which infrastructures can be protected are:

1. Putting up signs such as No trespassing, No bills.

2. Do not:

1. sit on rails of bridges, culverts,

2. throw stones on building, post bills, litter, tie animals on posts.

1. Follow the instructions of road signs.

2. Keep animals off the road.

Pictures of infrastructure in Your Community

Community Play Parks Traffic Lights Fire Hydrant

SUB-TOPIC:

1. Desirable behaviours

2. Respect for leaders and visitors.

3. Courtesy rules and maxims.

38

Some desirable behaviours children must have are:

1. Being courteous to all elders and peers.

2. Being kind to everyone.

3. Greet or welcome everyone.

4. Being polite.

5. Be helpful to all.

6. Show care and concern.

Showing respect for leaders and elders:

1. Answer verbally when spoken to.

2. Say excuse me if you have to interrupt.

3. Remember to say please, thank you and sorry in different situations.

4. Greet elders and visitors.

5. -Address elders and visitors appropriately.

6. Enquire from visitors if they need help.

39

TOPIC: Our Community

SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental

Neighbours

1. A continent is a large land mass separated from other land masses usually by oceans.

2. The world is made up of seven continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South

America, Australia and Antarctica.

3. Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours are those countries that are found closest to

it. They are:

Brazil

Suriname

Venezuela

Brazil

1. Situated to the south and south - west of Guyana.

2. Separated from Guyana by the Ireng and Takatu

Rivers

Suriname

1. Situated to the east of Guyana.

2. Separated from Guyana by the Corentyne River

Venezuela

1. Situated to the west of Guyana.

Separated from Guyana by the Amakura and Wenamu

Rivers

40


SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours

COUNTRY CAPITAL OFFICIAL

LANGUAGE

MAIN

EXPORT

CURRENCY

Brazil Brasilia Portuguese Coffee and

timber

Real

Previously used

Cruzeiro and Cruzado

Suriname Paramaribo Dutch

Javanese, Hindi and

English are also spoken

Alumina and

rice

Suriname dollar

Venezuela Caracas Spanish Petroleum and

petroleum

products

Bolivar (named after

Simon Bolivar, a

national hero of

Venezuela)

41


SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours

Map showing the continent of South America

1. South America is the 4th

largest continent.

2. It is made up of 13 countries.

3. All of the countries are independent except French Guiana.

4. It has the world’s largest rainforest.

5. There are 9 Spanish speaking countries, Guyana is the only English-

speaking country in South America.

6. Brazil is the largest country in South America and the 5th

largest in

the world.

Guyana’s other Continental Neighbours

Country Capital

Argentina Buenos Aires

Bolivia La Paz

Chile Santiago

Colombia Bogota

Ecuador Quito

42

French Guiana Cayenne

Paraguay Asuncion

Peru Lima

Uruguay Montevideo


SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours (Continued)

Country Capital Currency Main Export Language

Argentina Buenos

Aires

Peso Wheat

Corn

Soybean

Spanish

English

Italian

Bolivia La Paz Bolivian Peso,

Boliviano

Natural gas

Gold

Silver

Tin

Spanish

Aymara

Quechua

Chile Santiago Peso Petroleum

Natural gas

Copper

Spanish

Colombia Bogota Peso Coffee

Minerals- such as emerald

Spanish

43

Ecuador Quito Sucre Banana Spanish

Quechua

French

Guiana

Cayenne French franc Bauxite French

Paraguay Asuncion Paraguayan

Peso

Cotton fiber

Soy beans

Processed meat

Spanish

Guarani

Peru Lima Nuevo Sol Copper

Lead

Spanish

Uruguay Montevideo Uruguayan new

Peso

Textile

Textile products

Wool

Spanish

44


SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM

Guyana’s Caribbean neighbours are those countries or islands which are located in and around the Caribbean Sea. These countries or

islands were once colonies and also share certain relationships with Guyana. These countries share common history, language, crops,

ethnic groups and agricultural activities similar to Guyana.

The Caribbean islands are divided into Greater Antilles consisting of the large islands such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic,

Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands and Virgin Islands.

The Lesser Antilles which consist of Leeward Islands such as; British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Antigua

and Barbuda and Montserrat.

The Windward Islands such as Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent, &Grenadines, Grenada, Martinique, Barbados. Trinidad & Tobago.

45

CARICOM means Caribbean Community

1. CARICOM was formed on July 4th

, 1973

2. The agreement which formed CARICOM is called the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

3. The Treaty was signed in Trinidad at a place called Chaguaramas (however the treaty was revised on July 5th

,2001 in Nassau,

Bahamas)

4. The countries that formed CARICOM (first agreement) are called the founding members.

The founding members of CARICOM are:

1. Guyana represented by Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham

2. Barbados represented by Mr. Errol Barrow

3. Jamaica represented by Mr. Michael Manley

4. Trinidad and Tobago represented by Mr. Eric Williams

CARICOM is headed by a Secretary General

1. The present Secretary General of CARICOM is Mr. Irwin Larocque.

2. The CARICOM Secretariat is located in Georgetown Guyana at Liliendaal.

There are fifteen countries that makes up the CARICOM community

1. Antigua and Barbuda

2. The Bahamas

3. Barbados

46

4. Belize

5. Dominica

6. Grenada

7. Guyana

8. Haiti

9. Jamaica

10. Montserrat

11. St. Kitts and Nevis

12. St. Lucia

13. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

14. Suriname

15. Trinidad and Tobago

47


SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM (continued)

No CARICOM

country

Capital Location Language Currency Date of

membership

Main Export Known As

1 Guyana Georgetown South

America

English Guyana

dollars

August 1,1973 Sugar, rice, bauxite Land of many

waters/breadbasket of the

Caribbean

2 Antigua &

Barbuda

St. John Eastern

Caribbean

English E. C

dollars

July 4,1974 Sugar-cane, cotton Land of the rising sun/land

of 365 beaches

3 The

Bahamas

Nassau South

East of

Florida

English Bahamian

Dollars

July 4,1983 Lumber, coconut The place where world’s

meet

4 Barbados Bridgetown Eastern

Caribbean

English Barbados

Dollars

August 1,1973 Sugar, electrical

equipment

Land of the flying fish

5 Belize Belmopan Central

America

English Belize

Dollars

May 1,1974 Sugar, mahagony Mother nature’s best kept

secret

6 Dominica Roseau Northerly English E. C

Dollars

May 1,1974 Coconut, citrus The nature Isle of the

Caribbean

7 Grenada St. Georges Windward

Island

English E. C

Dollars

May 1,1974 Nutmeg, cocoa Spice island

8 Haiti Port-au-

Prince

Caribbean

sea

Haitian

creole &

French

Gourde February 2,2002 Sugar The pearl of the Caribbean

48

9 Jamaica Kingston Caribbean

Sea

English Jamaican

Dollars

August 1,1973 Sugar, bauxite Isle of spring/land of wood

& water

10 Montserrat Plymouth Leeward

Island

English E. C

Dollars

May 1,1974 Spices, machinery Emerald Isle of the west

11 St. Lucia Castries Caribbean

Sea

English E. C

Dollars

May 1,1974 Coconut, banana Helen of the west indies

12 St. Kitts &

Nevis

Basseterre Leeward

Island

English E. C

Dollars

July 26,1974 Sugar, cotton Mother colony of the west

indies

13 St. Vincent

& the

Grenadines

Kingstown Windward

Island

English E. C

Dollars

May 1,1974 Banana, sweet potatoes Jewel of the Caribbean

14 Suriname Paramaribo South

America

Dutch Suriname

Dollars

July 4,1995 Bauxite,petroleum Beating heart of the Amazon

15 Trinidad &

Tobago

Port-of-

spain

Lesser

Antilles

English T & T

Dollars

August 1,1973 Petroleum, sugar Land of the hummingbird

49

Map of the Caribbean Sea

50

TOPIC: Guyana’s Natural Regions.

SUB - TOPIC: What is a Natural Region?

Guyana has different landforms called Natural Region.

A Natural Region is an area, which has similar features such as soil, built of land, plants or

vegetation and climate.

The Four Natural Regions are:

1. Low Coastal Plain

2. Hilly Sand and Clay Region

3. High Land Region

4. Interior Savannah

51


SUB - TOPIC: The Low Coastal Plain

The Low Coastal Plain is a narrow flat strip of land, stretching from Northern tip of Point Playa to

the Corentyne River, to a distance of approximately 432 kilometres (270 miles). Its width is about

16 to 64 kilometres (10 to 40 miles).

The Low Coastal Plain is about 2 to 4 metres (6 to 8 feet) below sea level. During high tide, most

of the coastline is below sea level. To keep the tide out, concrete sea-walls, dams and groynes (a

structure built to interrupt water flow and limit movement of sediments, e.g. sluices and kokers)

have been built. The climate of this coastal region consist of two(2) wet(rainy) and two(2) dry

seasons.

Soil

There are three types of soil on the Coastal Plain.

1. Silty clay or mud forms our rice and sugar lands.

2. Pegasse soil, which is soft and spongy, found especially in the Essequibo. Coffee, fruits and

vegetables grow well in this type of soil.

3. Sandy soil, called reef lands found on the Corentyne Coast, where coconuts grow.

Vegetation

The vegetation (plant growth of any country or region) of the Coastal Plain is affected by soil,

climate and land formation. The natural vegetation (flora) on the mudflats of the Essequibo,

Berbice and Demerara is the mangrove and courida, their roots hold the soil together and prevent

erosion, by the sea water. Other natural vegetation includes the Troolie Palm, the Ete Palm,

Manni, White Cedar and Crabwood.

52



Resources

The build of the land, its clayey soil and the wet and dry climates makes it suitable for the growth

of, sugarcane, rice, coconuts, ground provisions, green vegetables and fruits. The rearing of

poultry, livestock and fishes in some areas of this region, makes Agriculture the main economic

activity on the Coastal Plain.

Population

Most of the population of Guyana, live on the Coastal Plain, earning their living on the sugar

estates, the rice fields and other agricultural areas, or working in towns and villages as public

servants.

Important Places

Some important places on the Coastal Plain:

Five towns of Guyana are located here. They are:

1. Georgetown – the capital city and chief port.

2. Anna Regina

3. New Amsterdam

4. Rose Hall

5. Corriverton

The Tapakuma Irrigation Project on the Essequibo Coast.

Chief Lakes Also on the Essequibo Coast. These are:

1. The Tapakuma Lake

2. The Quakabuka or Mainstay Lake

3. Capoey Lake and Ituribisci Lake

53



The Agricultural Project

1. The Mahaica Mahaicony Abary, Agricultural Development Authority. (MMA/ADA)

Population



servants.

Important Places

Some important places on the Coastal Plain:

Five towns of Guyana are located here. They are:

2. Georgetown – the capital city and chief port.

3. Anna Regina

4. New Amsterdam

5. Rose Hall

6. Corriverton

The Tapakuma Irrigation Project on the Essequibo Coast.

Chief Lakes Also on the Essequibo Coast. These are:

7. The Tapakuma Lake

8. The Quakabuka or Mainstay Lake

9. Capoey Lake and Ituribisci Lake

The Agricultural Project

10. The Mahaica Mahaicony Abary, Agricultural Development Authority. (MMA/ADA)

54


SUB - TOPIC: The Hilly Sand and Clay Region

Population



servants.

The Hilly Sand and Clay Region is found south of the Low Coastal Plain. It covers about one

quarter of Guyana and extends from the Pomeroon River, arcs inland to the Mazaruni and Potaro

Rivers, then eastward to the Corentyne, the border at Suriname.

This sandy region has hills of various heights, with valleys and many black water creeks. The days

are hot and the nights are cold, with some relief rainfall.

Soil

In the Hilly Sand and Clay Region, the soil is made up of white or reddish sand and red clay.

Vegetation

In the red and clayey areas, some agricultural farming is carried out in this region. The sandy soil is

covered is covered by valuable forest of Greenheart, Mora, Crabwood, Wallaba, and other

timbers.

Resources

11. Bauxite, which is mined at Linden(Mackenzie), Ituni and Kwakwani and then exported to

be converted into aluminium.

12. Timber is cut from the Bartica Triangle and Mabura Hill.

13. Dairy products from Moblissa.

14. Mining of sand.

15. Making of Charcoal.

55



Population

This region is not densely populated, as the Coastland. The population which is mainly loggers,

bauxite workers, commercial workers, public servants and Amerindians are found mainly where

bauxite mining is done, timber is cut or logging is done and where there are Missions or

Amerindian Reservations are found – e.g. Orealla, Kalkuni, Epira.

Important Places

Some important places on the Hilly Sand and Clay Region:

Two towns of Guyana are located here. They are:

1. Bartica – situated at the confluence of the Cuyuni, Mazaruni and Essequibo rivers. Bartica

is referred to as “ the gateway to the hinterland”

2. Linden

Mining Communities such as Mackenzie (Linden), Ituni, Kwakwani.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

56



A savannah is tropical grassland with scattered trees. The savannahs of Guyana are named after the

Rupununi River and are situated in the south – west. The forested Kanuku Mountains divide the

area into tow:

1. The North Savannah

2. The South Savannah

Soil

1. Rolling grass lands

Population

The population comprises mainly Guyana’s Indigenous people, the Amerindians who in addition

to being farmers are also vaqueros. i.e. people who look after cattle.

Important Places

Some important places are:

2. Lethem

3. Dadanawa

4. St. Ignatius

5. The Kanuku Mountain Range

Economic Activities

The main Economic Activities are:

1. Cattle ranching

2. Farming peanuts and ground provision

3. Balata bleeding

57


SUB - TOPIC: The Highland Region

Forest – covered mountains are highland are the main features of this region. This is the largest

region and the main source of our forest wealth. The highland is also important because:

1. Some of the largest gold and diamond fields in Guyana are near the mountain.

2. The highlands are areas of heavy rainfall. Rain falling in this region collects in streams

which run off in all directions to form the sources of the country’s main rivers.

3. Majestic wtaerfalls e.g. Kaieteur, Orinduik and other forms of scenic beauty attract tourists

from other countries.

Vegetation

The vegetation consists of dense forests which provide Guyana with timber – a valuable source of

revenue.

Resources

The main resources of this region are:

4. Timber 5. Gold 6. Diamond

Population

Sparsely Populated mainly with loggers, pork knochers, balata bleeders and native Amerindians

Important Places

1. The Mazaruni – Potaro area – the largest gold and diamond producing area in Guyana

2. The Majestic Kaieteur Fall on the Potaro River

3. The Bartica – Potaro Roadway

4. Mount Roraima

Mountain Ranges

1. Imataka 2. Pakaraima 3. Kanuka

4. Kamoa 5. Sierra Acarai

58


SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs

A tropical grassland with scattered trees is known as a Savannah. Guyana’s Savannahs, are also

called the Rupununi, after the main river of this region and Cattle Country because of the

grasslands.

The Kanuku Mountain divides the Interior Savannahs, situated in the South-West of Guyana, into

the North Savannah and South Savannah. The Interior Savannahs experiences long dry ad wet

seasons, each lasting six months.

Soil and Vegetation

The North Savannah, home to the Macushi Tribe, has gently rolling grassland with clumps of trees

in wet areas. The South Savannah, where the Wapisiana’s live, is more hilly. Mountains like

Shiriri, Marudi and Bat, rise sharply from the general level of the plains here. The soil of the

Interior Savannahs clayey and rocky.

Resources

The main resources of this region are beef, peanuts, maize (corn), cassava, yam, vegetables, fishing

and balata bleeding. These resources make cattle ranching and farming the main economic

activities of the Interior Savannahs.

Population

The population comprises mainly of Guyana’s Indigenous people, the Amerindians, who in

addition to being farmers are also vacqueros (cowboys) people who look after cattle.

59


SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs

Important Places

Some important places on the Hilly Sand and Clay Region:

5. Lethem – one of Guyana’ towns is located here, as well as Lethem’s main Airstrip.

6. Dadanawa – a cattle ranch

7. St. Ignattius – an Amerindian Reservation

8. The Kanuku Mountain Range

Documents

Social Studies - Ministry of Education