Barima-Waini (Region 1) is a region of Guyana and is located in the northwest of the country. Barima-Waini has three sub-regions: Mabaruma, Matakai, and Moruca.[2]

Barima-Waini
Region 1
Administrative region
Flag of Barima-Waini
Map of Guyana showing Barima-Waini region
Map of Guyana showing Barima-Waini region
Country Guyana
Regional CapitalMabaruma
Area
 • Total20,399 km2 (7,876 sq mi)
Population
 (2012 census)
 • Total26,941
 • Density1.3/km2 (3.4/sq mi)
[1]

The region is located in the northwest of the country and has a population of 26,941.[3] It covers an area of 20,339 square kilometres (7,853 sq mi). It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the region of Pomeroon-Supenaam to the east, the region of Cuyuni-Mazaruni to the south and Venezuela to the west.[1]

History edit

Prior to the 1980 administrative reform in Guyana, the Barima-Waini Region was known as the 'North West district'.[4]

Mabaruma became the administrative centre when it was decided that the former centre, Morawhanna, was too susceptible to flooding.[5]

Etymology edit

The region is named after two rivers that flow through the region: the Barima River and the Waini River.

Geography edit

Barima-Waini is a heavily forested region. The Atlantic coastal strip of Region One features a number of beaches, including, from west to east, Almond Beach, Luri Beach, Shell Beach, Turtle Beach, Foxes Beach, Iron-punt Beach, Pawpaw Beach and Father's Beach. Marine turtles nest on some of these beaches. There are also a number of Amerindian communities in this area, including Santa Rosa Mission.

Economy edit

The main economic activities in the Barima-Waini region are forestry and gold mining.[1] The northern and northeastern sections include thousands of acres of rich alluvial soil, whose main crops include coffee, ground provisions (such as cassava, eddoes and yams), cabbage, beans, corn, peanuts, and citrus fruits. (This is the area which supplies the famous Pomeroon cassareep.[clarification needed])

The Matthews Ridge-Port Kaituma manganese industry was discontinued in 1968[6] when falling world prices made it uneconomical to continue. Mining was resumed as of 2011.[7]

Major settlements, services and facilities edit

The Mabaruma sub-region includes the region's capital of Mabaruma, as well as Barabina, Hosororo, Wauna, Kumaka,[8] White Water and Kamwatta.[9]

Moruca sub-region includes Waramuri, Warapoka, Santa Cruz, Kokerite, Chinese Landing, Kwebena and Santa Rosa,[2] and Haimacabra.[9]

Matakai sub-region includes Sebai,[9] Port Kaituma, Matthew's Ridge, Baramita,[10] Arakaka,[11] and Morawhanna.[12]

The region has two secondary schools, North West Secondary School in Mabaruma, established in 1965, and Santa Rosa Secondary School, established in 1992.

Population edit

The Government of Guyana has administered four official censuses since the 1980 administrative reforms, in 1980, 1991, 2002, and 2012.[13] In 2002, the population of Barima-Waini was recorded at 24,275 people.[14] Official census records for the population of Barima-Waini are as follows:

1980 1991 2002 2012
18,329 18,428 24,275 26,941

Communities edit

Communities (including name variants):[15]

Territorial claim edit

Venezuela has renewed its claim to the Essequibo region which is situated west of the Essequibo river.[16] The status of the border controversy is subject to the Geneva Agreement, which was signed by the United Kingdom, Venezuela and British Guiana on February 17, 1966. As of December 2020, the matter is being addressed by the ICJ.[17]

Gallery edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Macmillan Publishers (2009). "Administrative Regions - 1 and 7". Macmillan Junior Atlas: Guyana. Oxford: Macmillan Caribbean. p. 36. ISBN 9780333934173.
  2. ^ a b "Moruca's needs can no longer be met by fishing, subsistence farming". Stabroek News. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  3. ^ "District 1: Barima-Waini". Caribbean Elections. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  4. ^ UK Directorate of Overseas Surveys 1:500,000 map of Guyana NW sheet, 1966.
  5. ^ "Emanuel Chan-A-Sue, MS". Stabroek News via Land of Six People. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Miners thrilled with Matthews Ridge manganese find". Kaieteur News Online. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Guyana Aims to Become a Top Manganese Producer". Investing News. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  8. ^ "The Mabaruma Sub-Region". Stabroek News. 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  9. ^ a b c "CH&PA to begin selecting beneficiaries, promoting new hinterland housing project | Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development". Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  10. ^ "Matakai education sector bolstering amidst challenges – DEO". Department of Public Information. 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  11. ^ "Joint Services rank among several held following Matthew's Ridge robbery". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  12. ^ "Overseas-based investor resuscitating Morawhanna fish complex, fuel farm". Stabroek News. 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  13. ^ Beaie, Sonkarley Tiatun (19 September 2007). "Chapter 3: National Redistribution and Internal Migration" (PDF). 2002 Population and Housing Census - Guyana National Report. Bureau of Statistics. p. 51. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  14. ^ Beaie, Sonkarley Tiatun (19 September 2007). "National Population Trends: Size, Growth and Distribution" (PDF Download). 2002 Population and Housing Census - Guyana National Report. Bureau of Statistics. p. 25. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Population by Village". Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Official Announcements". Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  17. ^ Summary of the Judgement of 18 December 2020

7°40′01″N 59°45′00″W / 7.667°N 59.750°W / 7.667; -59.750