Grade Six Social Studies
Let us continue to learn more about the features of the Coastal Plain of Guyana.
Climate of the Coastal Plain
What can you remember about the climate of the
Coastal Plain? As was mentioned last week, the Coastal
Plain gets seasonal rainfall; that is, two wet or rainy and two dry seasons. Farmers need plenty of water for their crops and animals throughout the year, but it does not rain all year. In some years it does not rain when expected. So, what happens during those long spells of dry weather?
Where do farmers get water for their crops and animals when they need it? Due to seasonal rainfall, farmers have to depend on a network of irrigation canals to bring water from reservoirs known as conservancies to their farmlands. These conservancies were designed to collect and store large amounts of water mainly during the rainy seasons and release the water to the farmlands during the long dry season, or when needed, for their rice, sugar cane and other crops.
The North East Trade Winds
The people on the coastland enjoy the cooling effect created by the North East Trade Winds which come from the Atlantic Ocean and blow across the coastland, keeping it cool from the tropical heat throughout the year. These winds are so called because they blow from the north-east. Their importance can be easily reognised on days when there is little breeze. People who live in coastal areas do not find the climate very hot, but rather windy and cooler than inland areas and areas further away from the coastland.
Types of soil along the Coastal Plain
There are three types of soil on the Coastal Plain of Guyana: • Silty clay or mud makes up the country’s rice and sugar lands.
• Pegasse is a soft spongy soil which is found especially on the Essequibo Coast. This type of soil is suitable for growing coffee, vegetables and fruits, especialy bananas.
• Sandy soil, called reef lands is found on the Corentyne coast where coconuts grow.
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the main economic activities in the coastal regions. Do you know why? It is because the flat land, the deep, rich, clayey soil and the wet and dry climate provide the most favourable conditions for agriculture. Two of our very important agricultural industries, sugar cane and rice, as well as other crops such as ground provisions, green vegetables, coconuts and fruits are produced in this region. Also, there is livestock farming – the rearing of poultry, pigs, sheep, goats and cattle. Fishing is also done in some areas of this region
.
The Sugar Industry
Sugar cane is one of the main crops grown on the coastland. The Guyana Sugar Corporation, best known as GuySuCo, is the company in our country which is responsible for the cultivation of sugar cane and the manufacture of sugar.
Sugar produced and exported to other countries brings much needed foreign exchange for the development of the country. What do you think happens to the money that foreign countries pay for our sugar? Suggest some ways in which you think it might be used. Some of the money helps to do such things as improve and/or build healthcare and sport facilities, schools, roads, and sea defences. Money is also needed to buy many essential things that the country needs but does not produce.
Some of these things are medicines, vehicles, cement, fertilisers and machines for our sugar, rice and other industries.
Besides being a foreign exchange earner, the sugar industry provides work for thousands of people – field workers, factory workers, office workers and they must be paid for the work they do.
An activity for you:
See how many jobs you can list under the three categories of workers given. (Follow the examples given)
You may add other categories of workers.
The Rice Industry
Rice, the second largest crop after sugar cane in the agricultural industry, has long been and still is a staple in the diet of most Guyanese and for a large number of people in the CARICOM countries. The rice industry is very important for it provides occupation for many, especially rural families. Rice also earns foreign exchange for the development of the country when it is exported to other countries.
Many private and government businesses are carried on in the coastal regions. A large number of them are involved in the manufacture of foodstuff; some are involved in the livestock and the production of livestock foods; others deal with household things while others manufacture clothing.
It was mentioned before that most of the population of our country live in the coastal region. They earn their living in the rice fields, the sugar estates, other agricultural areas or working in towns and villages with private companies or government ministries and corporations. They include teachers, police officers, soldiers, firemen, prison warders, nurses, doctors, clerks and accountants.
Some Important Places on the Coastal Plain
• Five of Guyana’s towns are located in this natural region: Georgetown the capital city and main port, Anna Regina, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton.
• Tapakuma Irrigation Project on the Essequibo Coast
• Our country’s Chief Lakes: Tapakuma, Quakabuka or Mainstay, Capoey and Ituribisci are also located on the Essequibo Coast.
• The Agricultural Project; the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) is situated at Mahaicony. It is concerned with such matters as drainage and irrigation for farmlands, the improvement of the agricultural system by giving advice to farmers and helping them to acquire seed paddy, loans and to use machinery.
Please find out about other important places in the coastal region.
Boys and girls, on Thursday, we have a national holiday to celebrate Guyana’s independence. Review all that you have been taught about Guyana’s independence. Goodbye and enjoy the day!