Grade Six Social Studies

When freshwater and seawater combine, the water becomes brackish, or slightly salty.

2) Tributary: A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface water and groundwater, leading the water out into an ocean.

The Dutch established a foothold on the Berbice River as early as 1629 for trading with the Amerindians. Plantations formed along the river, and it later became the location of a major slave uprising. In 1627, the settlement of Nassau (the name was used for many of the Dutch forts in the seventeenth century) was founded by the Dutch West India Company. The area was passed over to the British in 1815 and merged with the neighboring British Guiana.

The town of New Amsterdam is situated on the river's east bank, approximately four miles inside the river's estuary, where it enters the Atlantic Ocean. A new bridge over the river joins New Amsterdam to Rosignol. Other communities on the Berbice River include Everton, Mara, Takama, Kalkuni and Kwakwani.

The river has served to transport Bauxite from the major mine at Kwakwani (currently owned by Rusal)

The capital of Essequibo was Fort Island

The capital of Demerara was Borselem Island, one of the three islands found in the Demerara River. The other islands are Inver and Biesen.

The capital of Berbice was Fort Nassau located 50 miles up the Berbice River.

In the 1580’s, the Dutch set up trading posts in the Barima River and traded with the Amerindians. In 1621 they formed the Dutch West India Company and under its provisions, Essequibo declared a Dutch Colony.

The success of the Dutch aroused the interest of the European nations and consequently there was constant conflict among the Dutch, English and French for the outright possession of Guyana. In 1814, the colonies of Essequibo Demerara and Berbice were ceded to Britain, which in 1831 merge them into one colony, British Guiana.

Today we looked at the Counties of Guyana. Guyana is divided into three counties. In our next lesson, we will examine The Essequibo County.

Until next time, stay safe, boys and girls!