Explore Mahaica-Berbice: Region 5 Of Guyana!

Mahaica-Berbice, Region Five of Guyana. It is interesting to note that a part of Region Five is found in the county of Berbice. Most specifically known as the West Coast of Berbice. The portion east of the Abary River to the west of the Berbice River falls within the county of Berbice, while the portion between the Mahaica and West Abary River falls in the county of Demerara. As you will further discover, Region Five is filled with many other communities and intriguing lifestyles that you will find enlightening.

The East Bank of the Mahicony River

About Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5)

Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5) is a region of Guyana, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the region of East Berbice-Corentyne to the east, the region of Upper Demerara-Berbice to the south and the region of Demerara-Mahaica to the west. It contains the towns of Rosignol, Fort Wellington, Mahaicony and Helena. The Mahaica River runs along the region’s western border while the Berbice River is the eastern border. The Mahaicony and Abary Rivers run south to north. A large part of Region Five is Low Coastal Plain. Further inland lays the Intermediate Savannahs and Hilly Sand and Clay Region.

Communities In Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5)

There are a number of communities in Mahaica-Berbice; they are:

• Abary
• Baiabu (Barbara, Biabu, Big Baiabo)
• Bath Settlement (Number Thirteen)
• Bel Air
• Belladrum
• Blairmont (Blairmont Place)
• Bush Lot
• Cotton Tree
• De Hoop
• Esau and Jacob
• First Savannah
• Fort Washington
• Fort Wellington
• Gordon Table
• Governor Light
• Grass Hook
• Helena
• Helena Number Two
• Hopetown
• Ithaca
• Jacoba
• Lichfield (Forty-two)
• Mahaicony (Mahaicony Village)
• Mora Point
• Moraikobai
• Mortice
• New Found Out
• Now Or Never
• Number 2
• Number 4 (Edderton Village)
• Number 5 (Zeelust Village)
• Number Seven
• Number Eight (Inverness)
• Number Nine (Expectation)
• Number Ten
• Number Eleven (Woodley Park)
• Number Forty Village (Seafield, Forty)
• Number Forty One (Forty-one Village)
• Old Vigilante (Old Vigilantie)
• Perth (Perth Village)
• Pine Ground
• Rising Sun
• Rosignol
• Saint Francis Mission
• Saint John
• Sinking Ground
• Sir James
• Tempe
• Vigilantie (De Vigilante)
• Weldaad
• Kuru Kururu
• Washington

Tip: The Mahaica-Berbice Region extends east of the Mahaica River to the west bank of the Berbice River.

Boat in Moraikobai

Population Of Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5)

The Government of Guyana has administered four official censuses since the 1980 administrative reforms, in 1980, 1991, 2002 and 2012. Official census records for the population of the Mahaica-Berbice region are as follows:

• Year 2012: 49,723
• Year 2002: 52,400
• Year 1991: 51,280
• Year 1980: 53,898

Did You Know? The population of Region Five is much lower than in Region Four.

Lifestyle Of Persons Residing In Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5)

Rice farming is the main economic activity of this region, followed by sugar and coconut farming, and beef and dairy cattle ranching. The Region has a water conservancy project aimed at improving the drainage and irrigation of the area. Great dams were erected across the headwaters of the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Creeks to prevent the flooding of the farmlands in front of them during the wet seasons. During the dry seasons, the dams are opened to allow the land to be properly irrigated. Amerindians living in inland settlements make beautiful nibbi furniture, tibisiri baskets and other craft items, which they sell to earn their living.

Places To Visit In Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5)

• Rosignol – Rosignol is a small village on the west bank of the Berbice River. The town is important because it has a port, the Rosignol Stelling, that used to be the main crossing point on the western bank of the Berbice River. It is also a main stopping and exchange point for public transportation vehicles travelling along routes 50 and 53. New Amsterdam is on the east bank. The population consists primarily of people of Indian and African origin. Rosignol has three schools, a nursery school called Liberty hall Nursery, Rosignol Primary and Rosignol Secondary school.
• Berbice Bridge – The Berbice bridge has taken some of the life and importance of the old stelling in Rosignol but conveniently serves as a mode of transportation for people looking for a quick way to get across the river. The Berbice Bridge is a pontoon bridge over the Berbice River near New Amsterdam (Region Six). The bridge is tolled and was opened on 23^rd December, 2008.
• Fort Wellington – Fort Wellington is a town located in Region Five and it is the capital of this region. The Regional Democratic Office can be found in Fort Wellington where the work of various departments goes on. Sections of the Ministries of Health and Education, the Post Office, the Police Station and the Administrative Centre are located here. There is a hospital in this town.
• Mahaicony – Mahaicony is a community that is made up several villages in Region Five. Mahaicony’s physical boundaries on the coast is from De Hoop village in the west to Calcutta village in the east. Fishing, farming and hunting are three of the oldest economic activities in the world. In Mahaicony these are still the most popular way of life for the residents. The area produces over 15,000 metric tons of paddy rice each year. There are two main Secondary schools – Mahaicony Secondary School and Novar Secondary School. In the surrounding area primary schools are scattered around from Mahaicony, Zeeland in the west to Calcutta in the east to Mora Point in the deep south. Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, now renamed Mahaicony District Hospital, is an old land mark for the community serving its people for over years as the main health outreach alongside several health centres.

The Little House in the Village Now Or Never

Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) In Guyana

A famous silk cotton tree in the middle of the highway/road at Perseverance is a reminder to travelers that half of the journey between Georgetown and Rosignol has been completed. Further, Mahaica-Berbice is filled with many communities that have their own way of life. While some are engaged in farming, others are taken up by craft making. There are many Schools, Health Care Centres, Hospitals that benefit the people living in this region. Visit Region Five and explore these various communities and experience the lifestyle for yourself.

Article References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaica-Berbice
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosignol
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wellington,_Guyana
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaicony
• https://moc.gov.gy/category/region-5/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berbice_Bridge
• Image (Berbice River) https://live.staticflickr.com/1417/1075517504_8fdb9d1575_b.jpg