America > Guyana > Georgetown: Weather, Climate and Travel Guide

Capital of Guyana, Georgetown is located on the Atlantic coast and has about 250 000 inhabitants. Founded by the Dutch in the 18th century, it was named after King George III. The city is surrounded by swamps, savannah and sugar cane fields, and much of its land lies under the sea level, which required a retaining wall to protect it from attacks from the ocean , and channels which allow drainage of water. One can land at the Cheddi Jagan airport which is forty kilometers from the city, or the Ogle airport closer. Georgetown is also the main port, and the city is well served by motorways. There are many wooden buildings built in the colonial era, and many attractions such as Independence Square, the Anthropology Museum, the National Library, the National Museum with its collection of precious stones and Native American crafts, residence the President, the Cenotaph, city Hall in the neo-Gothic architecture, the Stabroek market, cast iron building dominated by the clock tower, the Brickdam Catholic Cathedral, the Independence Arch and the monument most notable of the city, the St Georges Gothic cathedral. You can also visit Fort William Frederick, lighthouse, botanical gardens where birds can be observed, and a cone-shaped building with a thatched roof and built in traditional style that was erected for a ministerial conference. Taxi is the easiest way to get around the city.