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Guyana
continent between latitudes 1 and 9 North and longitudes 56 and 62 West. Its borders are Venezuela to the West, Brazil to the South, and Suriname to the East. The country has three distinct geographical areas: the coastal belt, the forest area and the savannah zone. Guyana lies 1 to 1.5 meters below sea level at high tide. The flatness of the coast necessitates an equally elaborate system of drainage canals. The most valuable mineral deposits are bauxite, diamond, gold and manganese. Its rivers are Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo and Corentyne. Essequibo is by far the largest. Guyana is also called "the land of six peoples."
Guyana is 214,970 square kilometers in area - 83,000 square miles with a population of approximately 780,000.


Country Information
Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America, was formerly known as British Guiana before Independence in 1966. The country was proclaimed a Republic within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1970.
Guyana is derived from an Amerindian word meaning 'land of many waters'. A network of rivers disects the highlands, rain forest and savannahs south of the coastal region where the Kaieteur Falls plunges 226 metres over an escarpment on the Potaro River in a single drop.
A diverse biota is associated with the rain forest. The Oliver Ridley, an endangered turtle, nests on the Atlantic Coast and in the rivers of the Rupununi Savannah are found the Giant River Otter and the world's largest freshwater fish

Holidays & Festivals
New Year's Day (1 January)
Some Guyanese welcome the New Year at midnight mass and others usher in the day at private or public  parties which begin on Old Year's night.

Mashramani (23 February)
Guyana ceased to recognize the Queen of Great Britain as the Head of State and appointed its own President when the country became a Republic on 23 February 1970. Every year, the country celebrates its Republic Anniversary on this day. The celebration is called Mashramani ("Mash") which is derived from an Amerindian word describing celebration after the successful completion of a cooperative effort.
During the week before the 23rd of February there are calypso, steel band and masquerade band competitions, sports activities and competitions for school children. A "Miss Mash" is chosen from winners of each region of the country. The day begins with flag-raising ceromonies in towns and villages at midnight on 22 February and during the ceremony in Georgetown, the President of the Republic of Guyana addresses the Nation. During the day there are float parades with costume and steel bands providing a carnival-like atmosphere in the  streets.


Phagwah (March)
Hindus celebrate Spring and the triumph of good over evil on this holiday which falls on the full-moon day in March. Phagwah (Holi) was designated a national holiday when Guyana gained independence in 1966.
Preparation for the day begins weeks in advance with the assembling of goles (singing groups) and the singing of chowtals (religious songs) at temples and various homes. The Holika is burnt the night before the festival. Hindus attend services and offer special prayers of thanksgiving on the morning of the holiday. Later in the day, food is shared to mark to occassion and there is singing and dancing. During the celebration powder, perfume, abeer (red dye) and water are sprinkled on one  another.

Good Friday (March/April) & Easter Monday (March/April)
Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians around the world. It is the day of the crucifixion of Christ and is marked by services held in churches of the various Christian denominations. Church services are also held on the following Sunday to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.
Gifts of candy and easter eggs are given to children at Easter and both children and adults partake of hot crossbuns. One of the more popular activities during the Easter weekend, including Easter Monday is kite-flying. On these days kites of various sizes, styles and colours can be seen in the sky throughout the nation as families take to the outdoors for picnics. A well-established tradition over the weekend is the Bartica regatta. Activities associated with the regatta include swimming events in the river and power boat  races.

Eid-ul-Azha (March/April)
The "Festival of Sacrifice", celebrated by Muslims on the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month of Zul-Hijjjah, commemorates the sacrifice offered to Allah by the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail. On Eid-ul-Azha, Muslims gather in masjids for prayer and a sermon by the Imam. This is followed by the sacrifice of animals with the meat shared among relatives and friends, and donated to the  needy.

May Day (1 May
Also known as Labour Day, it is dedicated to workers around the world and was first declared a holiday on 12 February 1958. Workers in Georgetown parade around the city wearing red shirts to represent their struggle, and carry banners and placards. They gather for a grand rally at the National Park in Thomas Lands to listen to speeches by the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), other Trade Union officials and, sometimes, the President of the Republic of  Guyana.

Independence Day (26 May)
Guyana became and independent nation within the British Commonwealth of nations on 26 May 1966 and each year the country celebrates its independence on this day. The Golden Arrowhead, the Flag of the Republic of Guyana, is raised at several locatons throughout the country at midnight on 25 May. The President addresses the nation from the National Park following the raising of the Flag and a fire works display. Appointments to The Orders of Guyana (Guyana's National Awards) are normally announced on Independence  Day.
May 26 is not on the official list of national holidays. However, in recent years it has been observed as a public holiday.

Youmun-Nabi (June)
This Muslim Festival became a national holiday after Guyana became independent in 1966. It celebrates the birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammad. Muslims gather in the masjids for special services as well as readings and teachings about the Prophet and the way he lived his  life.

CARICOM Day (First Monday of July)
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973 and includes countries of the English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname. The day is marked by official gatherings and political messages from member  states.

Emancipation Day (1 August
The day commemorates the abolishment of slavery during the British occupation in 1834. On the night before the Emancipation Day, there is a liberation cremony at Parliament Building, the same location where the proclamation was announced in 1834. This is followed the next day by a folk festival held at the National Park. Celebrations are also held outside of Georgetown, especially by Afro-Guyanese whose forefathers gained their freedom and established villages following the abolition of  slavery.

Diwali (October/November)
Diwali (Deepavali), "Festival of Lights", is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik, on the new moon day called Amavasya; it has been a national holiday since independence in 1966. The Festival falls at the end of October or early in November.

Services are held in mandirs throughout the country and the lighting of diyas (tiny lamps) are held in every Hindu home on Diwali. The lighting of diyas (pujas) symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and truth over falsehood.
Motorcades in several parts of the country culminate at central locations for a celebration of the Festival and in Georgetown there is a sari fashion parade in which young ladies compete for the title of Miss  Diwali.

Christmas Day (25 December)
Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. The onset of the Christmas season is marked by the decoration of business places in the middle of November.

At the beginning of December, Guyanese families begin preparation for the holidays with the cleaning of homes and household items such as furniture and brasswork. Preparation of special foods and beverages, including the cleaning of meat for pepperpot, pickling of onions and pork, the setting of mauby and gingerbeer as well as fruits for wines and black cake, also precede the holiday. Other preparations,


Georgetown Stabroek Market


National Park

Kissing Bridge


Seven Ponds Monument


Hand In Hand Builbing


Church Of The Sacred Heart


Palm Court Restaurant & Bar


Revolving Light House


Indian Immigration Monument


Statue of Queen Victoria


Independence Arch


Hotel Ariantze Cafe


Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel


Demerara Harbour Bridge



Parliament Building






CaribLynk
 


 Trinidad & Tobago   The Carnival Of Trinidad    Tourist Information

 
Trinidad - Millions of miles from the real
world and just a few hours from home. Come to Trinidad and discover the most romantic, exotic and friendly island in the Caribbean. Uncrowded, unspoiled and full of unexpected pleasures. The lively home of Carnival, steel bands, calypso and limbo will fill your visit with color, rhythm and joy.
Tobago - A tranquil place to enjoy golden rays, rainbow sunsets and unforgettable beauty. Tobago, Trinidad's small companion island, lies a scant 20 miles - 32 kilometers - to the northeast. This pocket paradise contains some of the world's loveliest beauty spots, including large groves of coconut palms, miles of unspoiled beaches and the famous underwater delights of Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool
Trinidad & Tobago
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Central America and the Caribbean
Total area: 5,130 sq km
Land area: 5,130 sq km
Tropical; rainy season (June to December
Mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Natural Resources
Petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Arable land: 14%
Permanent crops: 17%
Meadows and pastures: 2%
Forest and woodland: 44%
Other: 23%
International Agreements
Party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity
Population
1,271,159 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31% (female 191,627; male 198,225)
15-64 years: 64% (female 399,726; male 407,495)
65 years and over: 5% (female 40,577; male 33,509)
Nationality
Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)
Ethnic divisions
Black 43%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Religions
Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%, other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1%
Languages
English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish
Literacy
Age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
Total population: 97%
Male: 98%
Female: 96%
Labor Force
463,900
By occupation: construction and utilities 18.1%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14.8%, agriculture 10.9%, other 56.2%

Trinidad covers 4,828 square kilometers - 50 miles long by 37 miles wide. Tobago has an area of 300 square kilometers - 26 miles long by 7.5 miles wide. Both islands together have a population of approximately 1.3 million.


 The Carnival Of Trinidad
A Mixture of Colour and Sound and Diversity

Called "the world's most colourful festival", the Carnival Of Trinidad is a spectacle of dazzling costumes and gaiety. Hundreds of bands of masqueraders parade through cities on the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday, bringing traffic to a standstill. The island seems to explode with music, fun, and dancing.
Some of the Carnival costumes cost hundreds of dollars. "Bands" might depict the birds of Trinidad, such as the scarlit ibis and the keskidee or a bevy of women might come out in the streets dressed as cats. Costumes are also satirical and comical.
Trinidad, of course, is the land of calypso, which grew out of the folk songs of the African-West Indian immigrants. The lyrics command great attention, as they're rich in satire and innuendo. The calypsonian is a poet-musician, and lyrics have often been capable of topplings politicians from office. In banter and bravado, the calypsonian gives voice to the sufferings and aspirations of his people. At Carnival time, the artist sings his compositions to spectators in tents. There's one show a night at each calypso tents around town, from 20:00 to midnight. Tickets for these are sold in the afternoon at most record shops.
Carnival parties, or fetes, with three or four orchestras at each one, are public and are advertised in the newspaper. For a really wild time, attend a party on Sunday night before Carnival Monday. To reserve tickets, contact the National Carnival Committee, Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad (868-627-1358).
You can attend rehearsals of steel bands at their headquarters, called panyards, beginning at about 19:00. Preliminary band competitions are held in the grandstand of Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain and at Skinner Park in San Fernando, beginning two weeks before Carnival.

 Tourist Information

Trinidad and its sister Tobago are the southernmost islands in the Caribbean and the closest to Venezuela. This is the home of Caribbean Carnival, the place where steelband and calypso were created. With a population continually mixed for over two centuries, it also celebrates a wide range of other big festivals, including Hindu and Muslim ones. Naturalists, especially bird-watchers, are attracted by the huge variety of flora and fauna. Tobago, the quieter island, is one of the Caribbean's great unspoiled resorts, with beautiful beaches, outstanding diving, coral reefs, championship golf, and a rich Heritage Festival each summer.
Getting Around:
Piarco International Airport is about 26 km from the capital, Port of Spain. In Tobago, Crown Point International Airport is 8km from Scarborough. From both airports, taxis to town and to the major hotels have fixed fares. Both have car rental companies. Remember to drive on the left. There's an airport departure tax of TT$85 plus an airport security tax of TT$15 payable on departure.
Local Information:
Population: 1.3 million
Area: Trinidad 4,828 sq. km, Tobago 300 sq.km
Time: EST+1, GMT-4
Language: English, French
Country Dialling Code: 868
Currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (floating against US$)
Highest Point: Cerro del Aripo, Trinidad (3,083 ft.)
Visitor information: TIDCO (Tourism and Industrial Development Company), 10-14 Phillips Street, Port of Spain (623-1932), also at Piarco airport; Tourism Division, Scarborough Mall (639-2125), also at Crown Point airport.
BWIA in Trinidad
Sunjet House, 30 Edward St., Port of Spain
Reservations: 627-2942
Flight Information: 669-3000 ext. 2951, 2952

Crown Point Airport, Scarborough
Reservations: 627-2942
Flight Information: 639-8741/2
eMail: [email protected] Carnival Dates 2001 - 2009


THE LANCE MITAN SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Trinidad

On Carnival Sunday 22nd February 1998, at around 2pm in the afternoon, the Lance Mitan suspension bridge crossing the Moruga river failed. An open van carrying six persons, with a lady walking behind, were on the bridge when it collapsed due to old age and lack of maintenance. Fishermen, based at the side of the bridge, helped rescue the passengers of the submerged van which included two children. No one was seriously hurt and luckily the fishermen’s quick intervention prevented anyone from drowning.


Asa Wright Naiure Centre Lodge