In Guyana, when you hear someone say “over the river” or “the country side” or even “the West side is the best side”, they are talking about none other than the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three). This region contains a mixed variety of lifestyles. For instance, the older generation would live a more calm and simple life. They would prefer to rock in their hammocks – which is usually in their veranda or under a coconut tree – and take in the cool, fresh breeze that ever so often blows at the houses nearer to the seawalls. As for the younger generation, they have a more active and busy life – they are involved in the more modern things of life such as college, work, hobbies and even entertainment. This article will reveal further details about this colorful region in Guyana.
In Guyana, when you hear someone say “over the river” or “the countryside” or even “the Westside is the best side”, they are talking about none other than the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three). This region contains a mixed variety of lifestyles. For instance, the older generation would live a more calm and simple life. They would prefer to rock in their hammocks – which is usually in their veranda or under a coconut tree – and take in the cool, fresh breeze that ever so often blows at the houses nearer to the seawalls. As for the younger generation, they have a more active and busy life – they are involved in the more modern things of life such as college, work, hobbies, and even entertainment. This article will reveal further details about this colorful region in Guyana.
About Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three (3)
Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) is a region of Guyana, split in two by the Essequibo River. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the region of Demerara-Mahaica and Demerara River to the east, the region of Upper Demerara-Berbice to the south and the region of Pomeroon-Supenaam to the west. Region Three contains villages such as Parika, Schoon Ord and Uitvlugt. It contains the large islands at the mouth of the Essequibo, including Hog Island, Wakenaam and Leguan. The Administrative centre is located in the town of Vreed-en-Hoop.
Tip: The Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region is made up of the islands in the Essequibo River such as Leguan and Wakenaam, and the Western portion of mainland Demerara. It is made up of low coastland, hilly sand and clay, and a small portion of forested highland regions.
Leonora Track and Field Facility
Communities In Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three (3)
There are a number of communities in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara; they are:
- De Willem
- Ampa
- Amstel
- Anna Catherina
- Banakari
- Berebisibali (Berebisiballi, Beribissibali, Beribissiballi)
- Bethany
- Caledonia
- Canal #1 Polder
- Canal No.2 Polder
- Caria Caria
- Cornelia Ida
- Dalli
- De Jonge Rachael
- Den Amstel (Den Amstel Village)
- Elizabeth
- Enterprise
- Fredericksburg
- Hague Backdam (Hague Front/Jib)
- Harlem
- Hooboo
- Hopetown
- Hubu
- Karia
- Kariakaria
- La Parfaite Harmonie
- Lanaballi
- Leonora
- Lorenza
- Louisiana
- Makouria
- Manaka
- Maria Johanna
- McDoom Village
- Meadow Bank
- Meten-Meer-Zorg
- Melville
- Morasi
- Nismes
- Parika
- Patentia
- Phoenix Town
- Post Ampa
- Primrose Hill
- Ridge
- Ruimzeight
- Sarah
- Saxacalli (Saxakalli, Saxsacali)
- Schoon Ord
- Simirie
- Soesdyke (Soesdyk)
- Stanleytown
- Stewartville
- Tuschen
- Uitvlugt
- Vergenoegen
- Vreed-en-Hoop
- Wales
- Windsor Forest
- Zeelandia
Isika, Parika, West Bank Essequibo
Population Of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three (3)
The population of this region lives in villages, many along the coast. This area has a lot of East Indians who are Hindus and Muslims. The region also has a mix of other races and religions such a Christianity. The Government of Guyana has administered three official censuses since the 1980 administrative reforms, in 1980, 1991 and 2002. Official census records for the population of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara are as follows:
- Year 2012: 107,416
- Year 2002: 103,061
- Year 1991: 95,975
- Year 1980: 104,750
Lifestyle Of Persons Residing In Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three (3)
Rice farming is predominant, with small amounts of sugar and coconut cultivation. The Boerasirie Extension Project converted the Boerasire Conservancy and the Canals Polder Conservancy into a single reservoir and reclaimed thousands of hectares of land, suitable for farming. The water from the conservancy is used during the dry seasons for irrigation. Sugar cane and coconuts are cultivated on a smaller scale and there is also beef and dairy farming.
Rice Fields in La Jalousie
Places To Visit In Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three (3)
- The Demerara Harbour Bridge – This majestic bridge crosses the Demerara River. It is the longest floating bridge in Guyana; it is a 6,074-feet (1,851 m) long. It was commissioned to be a major transportation link between the main city of Georgetown and West Bank Demerara. The construction of the bridge took 10 months of a total of only 2 years for the whole project. It was then completed in 1978 and was said to be the longest floating bridge until now. The bridge crosses the Demerara River 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the Guyanese capital Georgetown, from Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara to Schoonord, West Bank Demerara.
- Parika – Parika is the terminus at the end of the highway in Region Three. However, persons can travel from Parika to Adventure or Supenaam Region Two sometimes via the large islands at the estuary of the Essequibo – Leguan, Wakenaam and Hog Island.
- Ferry – You can take the ferry from Parika and go to the various islands. A daily ferry service links Leguan and Wakenaam Islands which are heavily inhabited but Hog Island is mainly inhabited by farmers.
- Aracari Resort – The famous hotel Aracari Resort is located on “the Westside”, many people enjoy visiting this hotel with their friends and family.
Den Amstel Village, West Coast Demerar
Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three (3) In Guyana
Sections of two counties have merged to form this region – Demerara, and Essequibo. This region may be the only one that has direct connections with several other administrative regions. For example, persons who may wish to get to Bartica (Region Seven) from Georgetown, the capital city, must travel through Region Four(4) then through Region Three(3) to reach Parika before boarding a boat to get to Bartica. Further, this Region boasts two of Guyana’s agricultural resources – rice and sugar. Several rice mills produce white and parboiled or brown rice. Yes, Region Three is a bustling little area filled with a variety of activities. People of all ages and backgrounds enjoy living in this beautiful region called Essequibo Islands-West Demerara.
Article References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essequibo_Islands-West_Demerara
- https://moc.gov.gy/category/region-3/
- http://www.caribbeanelections.com/gy/districts/district03.asp
- Image Wakenaam (Region Three) – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Riding_tru_Wakenaam_-_panoramio.jpg
