“Guyana.” What did I say? “Guyana.” Let the letters roll of your tongue as they depart your lips and embark your ears. Never heard of it! Don’t worry.
Christopher Columbus sighted the Guyana coast in 1498, and Spain subsequently claimed, but largely avoided, the area between the Orinoco and Amazon deltas, a region long known as the Wild Coast. It was the Dutch who finally began European settlement, establishing trading posts upriver around 1580.
Officially known as The Co-operative Republic of Guyana, it is the only country in the West Indies, all the others are islands. Guyana is located in the northeastern corner of South America. It is bordered by Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the southwest and south, Suriname (along the Courantyne River) to the east, and the mighty Atlantic Ocean to the north. Its total area of 83,000 square miles (215,000 square kilometers) is largely uninhabited, and most of the country's population occupies the narrow coastal strip.
Go take your atlas down and be blown away. Don’t worry, you don’t have to walk with pocket hand books trying to talk like Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, or Lulu Da Silva, it’s all English.
Guyana is a cosmopolitan nation consisting of many nationalities from various religious and ethnical back ground. Festivals in Guyana are tourism attraction in their own right. Religious festival has developed strong secular features that make those celebrations the property of all who participate. This atmosphere creates a cultural openness and accommodation that eases the way for visitors to share and participate in any cultural festival. Every month is accoladed by one or two or even three holidays and festivity and in the year 2008 CARIFESTA X will be held in Guyana, during the month August .
Guyana’s resources for eco-tourism are paramount among uniqueness. The word “Guyana” means land of many waters. This country lives up to it’s name. Guyana possesses 275 waterfalls, 18 lakes and a vast number of rivers.
Kaieteur Falls which is the longest single drop water falls in the world, is located in the thick jungle, in the center of the country. It is over 700 feet drop of shear mystic rainbow colored water. Although in the jungle, it is easily accessible by either small aircraft or trekking through Amerindian villages.
The waters of the mighty Kaieteur flow over a conglomerated table, and then lands into a deep valley. This drop is five times that of Niagara. Kaieteur takes the form of a huge perpendicular column of water, which cascades into a rainbow gorge, then it transforms into a mountain of foam.
In addition to its landscape there are 4 mountain ranges and a vast area of tropical rain forest, most of which is still in a pristine state. It’s forests provide home to a rich and rare assortment of flora and fauna. Guyana is a natural living museum for any one yearning for contact with nature. Guyana is one of the few places in the world which is home to four of the eight endangered turtles. The Green turtle, the Olive Ridley, the Hawkshill, and the famous Leatherback turtle live in abundance on these shores. In addition Guyana is home to over 700 native species of birds. These include the Harpy Eagle, the largest eagle in the world. The Toca Toucan, which is famous for having an enormous beak, it’s beak is as large as the rest of it’s body. The scarlet macaw will enchant you with it’s colorfulness. Don’t let us ignore the re-billed Toucan, whose loud call announces an imminent downpour of rain.
Apart from it’s festivity, flora and fauna, Guyana has a unique architectural construction, A combination of Old Dutch,French and English architecture stand side by side, many neighborhoods still have their old colonial name.
The Dutch being the first to inhabit this land, put in place Kokers ( Sluice) and canals to make irrigation easier. The spring tide water of the Atlantic is kept out by massive walls forming a breezy esplanade.
Georgetown, the capital city was initially called Stabroek during Dutch colonization. Stabroek Market erected by the Dutch, is built entirely of cast iron which extends into the Demerara River. Opened to the public since 1881, it has a reputation for having anything from a pin to an anchor for sale.
Donkey city is located next to the Stabroke Market. Donkey city, pronounced, “Danki City” by locals, is a special market place where only handicrafts are sold. Baskets, shoes made of pure leather, hats, bags, chairs, jewelry, clothes you name it they make it.
The Guyanese Amerindians are unique in weaving and basketry. The notable difference lies in the finishes used, and in this they excel, using a technique of fine plaiting with a twill pattern.
St. George’s Cathedral was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfied, and was built in the 1890’s. This cathedral is reputed to be one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings. Its’ spire rises over 132 feet. The story of the Cathedral is told in the interior on tablets and memorials. Many couples even as far as the Scandinavian countries travel here to tie the knot in this cathedral.
In front of the cathedral, a monument to the four founders of the Non- Aligned Movement is erected. Adjacent to that stands the cenotaph dedicated the millions of people who lost their lives during the World Wars.

Guyana conceals many exotic scenery and activities awaiting your discovery. They are too much for me to mention,so go book your flight.
North American Airlines have readily available flights leaving at least twice a week. In addition Caribbean Airlines (Formerly: British West Indies Airline) have flights daily from both Europe and North America. These are just two of the best quality Airlines available there are many more.
See you there.

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