Located west of Georgetown, on the West Coast of Demerara, Blankenburg is one of the most vibrant, populated village in the region. From the east, Blankenburg is bordered by Den Amstel and La Jalousie to the west. The village has two main housing schemes; Brandenburg Executive Housing Scheme and the Hibiscus Housing Scheme. The village has an approximate population of two thousand (2000). Blankenburg is a multicultural society where every is welcomed, regardless of race. About seventy percent (70%)of this number are persons of East Indian descent while other ethnicities like African, Amerindian etc. make up the remaining thirty percent (30)%. In recent years Blankenburg has seen an influx of Venezuelans. Many of the parents of these Venezuelans are Guyanese-born, who have opted to return to their home country.
Blankenburg Primary School
History of Blankenburg
In the olden days, the village of Blankenburg was simply a rice-planting area. This is not unlike most villages of the West Coast of Demerara. The village has seen tremendous growth and development over the years, blossoming from simply a farming village. There were few houses but with the opening of the Brandenburg Executive Housing Scheme and the Hibiscus Housing Scheme, the village has seen an increase in size. The increase in size comes with the many more ethnicities who soon become welcomed locals. However, it remains a peaceful, tranquil place where everyone, regardless of descent and status can live as one, reinforcing Guyana’s motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
Interesting Tip
- Guyana’s very first president, Arthur Chung attended school in Blankenburg.
Infrastructure
Perhaps the oldest structure in Blankenburg is an Anglican Church, located close to the seawall. It is believed the church is about one hundred (100) years of age. This would place it among the oldest structures in Guyana, like the St. George’s Cathedral but it is not as old. In addition to this, there is also a Pentecostal church in this village. In addition, there are two burial grounds, a Muslim and Christian respectively. There is one primary school in Blankenburg while most the older children attend schools in the surrounding area like Stewartville and Leonora.
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- Mosque in Blankenburg
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- Church in Blankenburg
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- Blankenburg Primary School
Economic Activities of Blankenburg
Like most villages in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), rice farming is one of the main economic activities – you can see endless fields of green or yellow, depending on what time of the year you visit. Some villagers practice cattle rearing and poultry rearing while some are employed in the sugar sector at the Uitvlugt estate. Many persons go about their daily lives and return home to tend to their kitchen gardens. Several families plant kitchen gardens and sell their veggies at stalls by the road. There are some businesses in Blankenburg including several taxi services, and family-owner shops spread throughout the community a supermarket, restaurant, gas station, and an internet cafe. In addition to this, many persons frequent the backdam to fish.
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- Gas Station in Blankenburg
5 Quick Facts About Blankenburg
- Blankenburg is located on the West Coast of Demerara in Region Three (3) Essequibo Islands West-Demerara.
- The village has a population of about two thousand 2000 people.
- Arthur Chung (Guyana’s first president) was educated in Blankenburg.
- Blankenburg is primarily a rice-planting village.
- It is home to an Anglican Church, near to the seawall which is about one hundred (100) years old.
About Blankenburg
Blankenburg is a relatively large village on the West Coast of Demerara, known for being a place of tranquillity. Life in Blankenburg is quiet, as Guyanese would say. There is not much for entertainment but youths frequent the black water canal, in the afternoons for a cool splash. Adults wind down at the Bay View hangout spot, popular among the recreation spots in the village. Blankenburg is simply a peaceful haven.
Article References
- https://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/01/15/features/blankenburg/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Chung
