Grade Six Social Studies
Hello Boys and Girls!
This week we continue to learn about Guyana’s Administrative Regions. We discussed that Guyana has Ten (10) Administrative Regions. The main purpose for the country to be divided into Ten (10) Administrative Regions is to ensure effective governance. Each Administrative Region is governed by a Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Each region also has an Administrative Centre and a Regional Chairman who is the head of the region. Each Administrative Region is controlled by a Regional Executive Office (REO) and falls under the authority of the Ministry of Local Government.
Topic: Administrative Regions Sub-Topic:
East Berbice/Corentyne
In this week’s lesson we are going to learn about the Administrative Region 6- East Berbice/Corentyne
We are going to:
• Describe the Region
• Examine the political map of the Region • Identify main resources
• Discuss the main economic activities • Important landmarks found in the Region
Let’s Describe Region Six (6)- East Berbice/Corentyne Resources and Economic Activities
This region can be found between the Corentyne and Berbice Rivers. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the north, while the southern section of the region has the Sierra Akarai Mountain range as its border. The region has an area of 14290 square miles (37000 square kilometers). This Administrative Region which is found in the Berbice County is the only region with connections with all four of Guyana’s natural regions- the, the Low Coastal Plain, the Hilly Sand and Clay Region, the Forested Highland Regions and the Interior Savannahs.
Fact/Tip: The population of the region is centred mainly on the coast. Most of the land space there is taken up by settlements.
East Berbice/Corentyne (Region 6) is very large, for this reason, the region was divided into three towns, all situated along the coastal belt.
Rice and sugarcane are grown extensively on the coastal belt, while timber can be found in the forested area which covers about three times the space used for sugar and rice along the coast.
NOTE: Bauxite soil, glass sand and deposits for making tiles are centred in the Hilly Sand and Clay section of the region
SUGAR ESTATES
Sugar estates at Skeldon in the town of Corriverton, Albion in Rosehall Town area and Rose Hall in the Canje area not far from New Amsterdam, manufacture sugar on a large scale.
Did you know? Much of the sugar is exported to other CARICOM countries and even further afield. The town of Rose Hall is found on the Coast, but the estate, while on the Coastland as well, is found on the Canje River, a tributary of the Berbice River.
Vocabulary Building 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.
Economic Activities
• Rice and sugar production
• Green vegetables, ground provisions • Coconuts
• Cattle rearing
Rice
Rice is milled in private mills scattered across the region. To produce good yields from crops, drainage and irrigation channels have to be in place. Water from the Canje is used for irrigation purposes. This ensures adequate supplies for crops at all times. The water can also be drained off the land when needed. A canal had to be dug so that water in the backlands could reach all areas needed. This canal, the Torani, connects the Berbice and Canje Rivers to create Torani Drainage and Irrigation Scheme. This scheme serves the Lower Canje and Berbice areas by draining and irrigating the rice lands.
Remember! Rice needs lots of water to grow
Drainage and Irrigation Scheme
There is a drainage and irrigation scheme on the Corentyne coast. The name is the Black Bush Development Scheme. It was set up to serve four sections called Polders. The four are:
1) Lesbeholden 2) Joanna 3) Yakusari 4) Mibicuri
Livestock
Mara and Edinburgh on the East Bank of Berbice are examples of villages where special emphasis was placed on livestock farming.
Citrus Fruits
The East Bank of Berbice produces many citrus and ground provisions. The soil is very fertile in that area.
Coconuts:
Coconut farming is done on a large scale. Copra- the dried kernel of ripe coconuts is sold to be made into soap and margarine.
Cattle
Cattle are reared on small farms around the region. Meat and milk are produced Sawmilling is another economic venture which is privately done. Sawmills can be found along the banks of the Canje and Berbice Rivers. Although the region has space in the forested highland, only a small amount of logging is done. Loggers use power saws to cut logs which are set into rafts and floated down the rivers to sawmills.