Lethem, Guyana
Encyclopedia
Lethem is a town in Guyana
, located in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Region of the South American Country. It is named after Sir Gordon James Lethem
, who was the Governor
of British Guiana
from 1946 to 12 April 1947.
, which forms the border with Brazil
, opposite the Brazilian town of Bonfim
. Lethem is the capitol of Region 9 and is a hub linking many of the surrounding villages to Georgetown
. The Takutu River Bridge
over the Takutu River
was recently completed and now links the two countries.
The newly-built bridge is expected to bring Brazilian goods to the Georgetown
harbor which would be faster than shipping through Brazilian ports. Map coordinates for Lethem are 03.22.30.00 at 59.47.52.00. The town is approximately 280 feet above sea level.
where there are many vaqueiros spoken for Portuguese language, or cowboys, and ranches. Local flora/fauna includes cashew
trees and mango
trees. Coconut trees are also common. There is a cashew processing plant in St. Ignatius, a community within Lethem. There are several retail establishments throughout Lethem and U.S. currency is typically accepted along with the Guyanese Dollar.
The Guyanese and Brazilian governments recently built a bridge over the Takatu river just north of Lethem. The bridge links northern Brazil to the Atlantic coast port of Georgetown.
Water is often drawn from hand dug wells although there is a community water supply. Bottled, filtered water is common and easily available in stores.
The area's other economic activities are plant and mineral extraction, and tourism. There is a rodeo event at Easter.
with scheduled air service most weekdays. The airport has a single, 6,194 foot (1,888 meter) paved runway with instrument markings but no lighting. The runway is oriented at 07/25. The approach to 07 is often flown in Brazilian airspace which begins less than 1 km from the threshold. Scheduled service is provided by Trans Guyana Airways
via a single engine Cessna Caravan. Persons traveling by air to Lethem should know that there are strict weight restrictions for luggage. Weight, depending on booking, could be restricted to less than 20 pounds. The airport office is located just south of the western end of the runway.
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
, located in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Upper Takutu-Upper Esequibo is a region of Guyana in the Zona de Reclamación by Venezuela, bordering the region of Potaro-Siparuni to the north, the region of East Berbice-Corentyne to the east and Brazil to the south and west. It contains the towns Lethem, Isherton, Good Hope and Surama. It is...
Region of the South American Country. It is named after Sir Gordon James Lethem
Gordon James Lethem
Sir Gordon James Lethem was a British Civil Servant.He was Governor of British Guiana from 7 November 1941 to 1946. He was acting Governor from 1946 to 12 April 1947.The city of Lethem, Guyana is named after him....
, who was the Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
from 1946 to 12 April 1947.
Geography
Lethem lies on the Takutu RiverTakutu River
The Takutu River is a river in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. It forms part of the boundary with Brazil, and is a tributary of the Branco River...
, which forms the border with Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, opposite the Brazilian town of Bonfim
Bonfim, Roraima
Bonfim is a municipality located in the mideast of the state of Roraima in Brazil. Its population is 12,626 and its area is 8,095 km². The city lies opposite the Takutu River from Lethem, Guyana...
. Lethem is the capitol of Region 9 and is a hub linking many of the surrounding villages to Georgetown
Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
. The Takutu River Bridge
Takutu River Bridge
The Takutu River Bridge is a bridge across the Takutu River, linking Lethem in Guyana to Bonfim in Brazil. It was completed in 2009 and opened on 31 July 2009. Its official inauguration was on 14 September 2009, in the presence of leaders of both countries. It cost USD 5 million and was paid for...
over the Takutu River
Takutu River
The Takutu River is a river in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. It forms part of the boundary with Brazil, and is a tributary of the Branco River...
was recently completed and now links the two countries.
The newly-built bridge is expected to bring Brazilian goods to the Georgetown
Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
harbor which would be faster than shipping through Brazilian ports. Map coordinates for Lethem are 03.22.30.00 at 59.47.52.00. The town is approximately 280 feet above sea level.
Demographics
The population of Guyana is varied and includes native Amerindian people who come from 9 original tribes in the savannahs. There is a mixture of Caribbean heritage as well as African. Few Caucasians live in Guyana and most are there visiting for scientific research in the savannahs or rain forest or visiting on Christian missionary campaigns. The language is English with a Caribbean accent. Some Portuguese is spoken, mainly by Brazilian immigrants, in addition to the many dialects of the Amerindian tribes.Environment and economy
Lethem is part of the Guyanese Rupununi savannahRupununi savannah
The Rupununi savannah is a savanna plain in Guyana, in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region. It is an ecoregion of the Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands Biome.-Description:...
where there are many vaqueiros spoken for Portuguese language, or cowboys, and ranches. Local flora/fauna includes cashew
Cashew
The cashew is a tree in the family Anacardiaceae. Its English name derives from the Portuguese name for the fruit of the cashew tree, caju, which in turn derives from the indigenous Tupi name, acajú. It is now widely grown in tropical climates for its cashew nuts and cashew apples.-Etymology:The...
trees and mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
trees. Coconut trees are also common. There is a cashew processing plant in St. Ignatius, a community within Lethem. There are several retail establishments throughout Lethem and U.S. currency is typically accepted along with the Guyanese Dollar.
Water is often drawn from hand dug wells although there is a community water supply. Bottled, filtered water is common and easily available in stores.
The area's other economic activities are plant and mineral extraction, and tourism. There is a rodeo event at Easter.
Airport
Lethem has an airport (IATA Code: LTM) that connects it to the capital, GeorgetownGeorgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
with scheduled air service most weekdays. The airport has a single, 6,194 foot (1,888 meter) paved runway with instrument markings but no lighting. The runway is oriented at 07/25. The approach to 07 is often flown in Brazilian airspace which begins less than 1 km from the threshold. Scheduled service is provided by Trans Guyana Airways
Trans Guyana Airways
Trans Guyana Airways operates out of Ogle International Airport in Georgetown, Guyana. It operates an extensive scheduled network and charters.- History :...
via a single engine Cessna Caravan. Persons traveling by air to Lethem should know that there are strict weight restrictions for luggage. Weight, depending on booking, could be restricted to less than 20 pounds. The airport office is located just south of the western end of the runway.
External links
- Looking south - January 11th, 2007 - The Economist
- Commentary: Guyana and Brazil - Bridging for good times - February 13, 2009 - Caribbean Net News
- http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/americas/guyana_rel_1991.pdf