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| Guayana | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Guayana |
| Capital | Ciudad Bolívar |
| Largest city | Ciudad Guayana |
| Official languages | Spanish |
| Area km2 | 736000 |
| Population estimate | 1000000 |
| Currency | Venezuelan bolívar |
Guayana Guayana is a historical and geographic region in northeastern South America encompassing vast portions of the Orinoco River basin, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Guiana Highlands, and adjacent to Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil. The region includes major landmarks such as Angel Falls, the Caroní River, and the Los Llanos, and has been a crossroads for indigenous polities like the Warao, colonial entities like the Spanish Empire, and modern states including Bolívar (state). Its landscapes, mineral wealth, and strategic waterways have made it central to conflicts and development projects involving actors such as Simón Bolívar, the Royal Audiencia of Caracas, Royalist forces, and multinational corporations like BHP and Vale S.A..
The name derives from early European accounts by explorers such as Christopher Columbus and chroniclers referencing indigenous terms recorded by Alexander von Humboldt and Antonio José de Sucre, and appears in documents of the Spanish Empire, the Royal Audiencia of Caracas, and the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Colonial maps produced by cartographers like Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius contrasted Guayana with regions such as Pará and Orenoque Province, while 19th-century diplomats in the Treaty of Tordesillas aftermath and negotiators like José Antonio Páez and representatives to the Congress of Angostura debated its boundaries. Nomenclature evolved through treaties such as the Treaty of Washington (1897) and arbitration cases like the Arbitral Award of 1899 involving Great Britain and Venezuela.
The region is dominated by the Guiana Shield, the Orinoco River drainage, and the tepuis of the Pakaraima Mountains, hosting ecozones recognized by scientists like Alexander von Humboldt and conservationists from organizations such as WWF and Conservation International. Major rivers include the Caroni River, Cuyuni River, and Mavaca River, feeding ecosystems that support species studied by naturalists like Alfred Russel Wallace and cataloged in collections from institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Natural History Museum, London. Protected areas include Canaima National Park, which contains Angel Falls and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the region's flora and fauna intersect with research from Kew Gardens and publications by Charles Darwin. The geology features Precambrian formations exploited by mining interests like Anglo American plc and explored by geologists working with the United States Geological Survey and the Geological Society of London.
Precolonial societies such as the Warao, Pemon, Arawak, and Carib inhabited riverine and highland zones, interacting via trade routes later documented by explorers including Sir Walter Raleigh and Francisco de Orellana. During the colonial era, the Spanish Empire established missions run by Jesuits and conflicts erupted with Dutch West India Company settlements and British Guiana interests. Revolutionary figures like Simón Bolívar and events like the Venezuelan War of Independence and the Battle of Boyacá reshaped sovereignty, followed by border disputes settled through arbitration involving Cleveland Administration diplomacy and the Harrison Administration. 20th-century developments included the construction of hydroelectric projects linked to engineers from firms such as Siemens and corporations like Alcoa, and political movements connected to leaders including Hugo Chávez and institutions like the Organization of American States.
Population groups include descendants of indigenous peoples such as the Warao and Pemon, Afro-descendant communities with genealogies tied to transatlantic slave trade routes, and mestizo populations influenced by migration from regions like Andes states and Caracas. Cultural expressions are reflected in music traditions linked to artists who performed in venues associated with the Caracas Symphony Orchestra and folk forms studied at universities such as the Central University of Venezuela. Religious practices involve rites recorded by missionaries of the Society of Jesus and syncretic traditions examined by anthropologists from institutions like University of Oxford and Harvard University. Urban centers like Ciudad Bolívar, Ciudad Guayana, and mining towns recall architecture styles preserved by conservationists at the Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural and festivals documented by the Ministry of Popular Power for Culture.
Economic activity centers on mining operations for gold, bauxite, iron ore, and diamonds managed historically by companies like Carmo Mining, Olimpiada Mine, Ammunition, BHP, Vale S.A., Alcoa, and state enterprises such as Corporación Venezolana de Guayana. Hydroelectric development at sites like the Guri Dam taps the Caroni River and involves contractors comparable to Siemens and Alstom; energy exports intersect with agreements involving the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and national oil companies such as PDVSA. Agriculture in floodplains integrates cash crops promoted by agencies like the Food and Agriculture Organization and trade ties with markets in Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Environmental controversies have engaged NGOs such as Greenpeace and legal actions in courts referenced by litigators from international firms.
Administratively, the region is divided into entities including Bolívar (state) and special territories administered under constitutions ratified by legislatures like the National Assembly (Venezuela). Sovereignty disputes have involved diplomatic channels including the Organization of American States and arbitral procedures referenced in cases before jurists connected to the International Court of Justice and earlier commissions convened by the United States during the 19th century. Local governance structures operate through municipalities such as Caroní Municipality and provincial institutions modeled after frameworks influenced by leaders like Rómulo Betancourt and administrations of presidents like Rafael Caldera.
Transportation arteries include the Orinoco River navigational routes, bridges such as the Orinoquia Bridge, and rail proposals connecting mineral zones to Atlantic ports similar to projects linking Port of Rotterdam partners and financiers from multilateral banks including the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank. Airports serving urban centers include General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport-type facilities and military airbases comparable to installations operated by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces. Infrastructure projects have entailed contractors like Bechtel and Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) financing, and logistical operations interfacing with ports in Puerto Ordaz and river terminals near Ciudad Bolívar.
Category:Regions of South America