Barima-Waini


Barima-Waini is a region of Esequiban Guyana, a territory in dispute by Guyana and Venezuela. Venezuela claims the territory as part of Delta Amacuro state.
The region is located in the northwest of the country. It covers an area of 20,339 km². 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.

History

Prior to the 1980 administrative reform in Guyana, the Barima-Waini Region was known as the 'North West district'.
Mabaruma became the administrative centre when it was decided that the former centre, Morawhanna, was too susceptible to flooding. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, serious consideration was once given to moving the capital of Guyana to this area.

Etymology

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

Geography

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

The main economic activities in the Barima-Waini region are forestry and gold mining. The northern and northeastern sections include thousands of acres of rich alluvial soil, of which its main crops include coffee, ground provisions, cabbage, beans, corn, peanuts, and citrus fruits..
The Matthews Ridge-Port Kaituma manganese industry was discontinued when falling world prices made it uneconomical to continue.

Major Settlements, Services and Facilities

Major settlements include Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Matthew's Ridge, Morawhanna, Towakaima, Koriabo, Hosororo, Arakaka and Moruca.
The region has two secondary schools, North West Secondary School in Mabaruma, established in 1965, and Santa Rosa Secondary School, established in 1992.

Population

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