Wakenaam


Wakenaam is an island of about at the mouth of the Essequibo River of Guyana. One of the largest islands in the Essequibo Islands group, it was settled at one time by the Dutch in the 18th century. The name Wakenaam is Dutch meaning "waiting for a name" and the island still contains old Dutch graves at various locations. The island, like most other islands in the Essequibo River in Guyana, is characterized by green vegetation, blue skies and cool breeze from the Atlantic. Wakenaam has multiple villages which include Maria's Pleasure, Good Success, Sans Souci, Melville, Belle Plaine, Sarah, Zeelandia, Friendship, Bank Hall, Meer Zorg, Caledonia, Free and Easy, Arthurville, Palmyra, Maria Johanna, Domburg, Fredericksburg, Noitgedacht, Rush Brook and Ridge.

Population

The island has a population of approximately 4,000 people as of 2016, consisting mainly of people of Indian and African descent, with smaller percentages of the descendants of other races.

Economy

The economy of Wakenaam is based on agriculture. Farming is the main occupation. Farmers grow rice, coconut and various vegetables and roots. Its inhabitants also raise cattle both for milk and for meat and engage in fishing, though this is done on a small, private scale.

Notable people