Georgetown

Georgetown

Georgetown is Guyana's capital and largest city, located on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Demerara River. Known as the 'Garden City of the Caribbean'. It is the country's retail, administrative and financial services center. Georgetown is well known for its British colonial architecture, comprising the tall, painted timber Saint George's Cathedral and the emblematic Stabroek Market. Despite being founded as a British settlement in 1781 and named after George III, the town was largely rebuilt by the French by 1784. The town, known as Stabroek during the Dutch occupation, became the seat of government for the united colonies of Essequibo and Demerara in 1784. In 1812, when the British regained control, the name was changed back to Georgetown. Many of the city's houses and public buildings are built of wood, the former usually standing on brick pillars that rise 1-3 meters from the ground. However, due to the major fires of 1945 and 1951, most of the buildings in the business districts were rebuilt with reinforced concrete. The city center’s public buildings comprise government offices, the City Hall and cathedrals. There is also a botanical garden, a zoo, a seaside promenade and many outdoor leisure facilities. Georgetown is Guyana's main commercial and manufacturing center. It is an exporter of sugar, rice, tropical fruits, timber, balata, bauxite, gold and diamonds from the Guyana backcountry.