Cuyuni River
Encyclopedia
The Cuyuni River is a South American river
and a tributary of the Essequibo River
. It rises in the Guiana Highlands of Venezuela where it descends northward to El Dorado
, and turns eastward to meander through the tropical rain forests of Guayana Esequiba
. It finally turns southeastward, flowing to its confluence with the Mazaruni River
.
The Cuyuni River marks the limit of the disputed territory of Guayana Esequiba
for approximately 100 km (62.1 mi).
The Kamaria Hydroelectric Power site is located on the Cuyuni River.
The river is a source of alluvial gold
.
Ankoko Island
is at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Wenamu River
and has been the subject of further disputes between Venezuela and Guyana.
In 1681, an island in the mouth of the Cuyuni River was cleared and planted with cassava for the use of the Dutch
garrison. By 1694, a new plantation on the Cuyuni River above the fort was established. By 1703 a Posts was established on the Pariacot Savannah, in the upper Cuyuni.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
and a tributary of the Essequibo River
Essequibo River
The Esequibo River is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil-Guyana border, the Essequibo flows to the north for 1,010 km through forest and savanna into the Atlantic Ocean.-Geography:There are countless...
. It rises in the Guiana Highlands of Venezuela where it descends northward to El Dorado
El Dorado
El Dorado is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into a highland lake.Later it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated – and so far eluded – explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors...
, and turns eastward to meander through the tropical rain forests of Guayana Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba is a territory administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. It includes the territory between the Cuyuni River to the west and the Essequibo River to the east...
. It finally turns southeastward, flowing to its confluence with the Mazaruni River
Mazaruni River
The Mazaruni River is a river in northern Guyana, running from its source in the remote western forests of the Pakaraima Mountains to its confluence with the Cuyuni River near Bartica...
.
The Cuyuni River marks the limit of the disputed territory of Guayana Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba is a territory administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. It includes the territory between the Cuyuni River to the west and the Essequibo River to the east...
for approximately 100 km (62.1 mi).
The Kamaria Hydroelectric Power site is located on the Cuyuni River.
The river is a source of alluvial gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
.
Ankoko Island
Ankoko Island
Ankoko Island is located at the confluence of the Cuyuni River and Wenamu River, at , on the border between Venezuela and the disputed area of Guayana Esequiba, Guyana....
is at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Wenamu River
Wenamu River
Wenamu River is a river in South America. It forms a portion of the international boundary betrween Venezuela and Guyana. It is part of the Essequibo River basin.-References:*Rand McNally, The New International Atlas, 1993....
and has been the subject of further disputes between Venezuela and Guyana.
In 1681, an island in the mouth of the Cuyuni River was cleared and planted with cassava for the use of the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
garrison. By 1694, a new plantation on the Cuyuni River above the fort was established. By 1703 a Posts was established on the Pariacot Savannah, in the upper Cuyuni.
See also
- Guayana EsequibaGuayana EsequibaGuayana Esequiba is a territory administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. It includes the territory between the Cuyuni River to the west and the Essequibo River to the east...