The city of Georgetown is the capital and chief port of Guyana, a country on the northern coast of South America. It is the country's main commercial and manufacturing center. Georgetown lies on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Demerara River. The city sits on low land. A sea wall protects it from floods. In the center of the city are government offices, the town hall, the cathedral, and the national museum. The University of Guyana, founded in 1963, is located in the suburb of Turkeyen. Other attractions include a botanical garden, a zoo, a seaside walkway, and many outdoor recreational facilities. Many of Georgetown's houses and public buildings are made of wood, but most business offices are reinforced concrete. Older buildings stand above flood level on brick pillars. Sugar refining is an important industry in Georgetown. The city exports sugar and rice as well as timber, bauxite, gold, and diamonds. The British founded Georgetown in 1781. They named the settlement after King George III. By 1784 it had been largely rebuilt by the French. Then Dutch colonists occupied the territory and renamed it Stabroek. They made the town the seat of government of the combined colonies of Essequibo and Demerara. In 1812 the British regained control of the town and restored the name Georgetown. When Guyana achieved independence from Great Britain in 1966, Georgetown became the national capital. Population (1999 estimate), 275,000. |