Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Essequibo River |
Coordinates | 6°58′12″N 58°27′00″W / 6.97005°N 58.45001°W |
Archipelago | Essequibo Islands |
Area | 17.5[1] sq mi (45 km2) |
Administration | |
Essequibo Islands-West Demerara | |
Demographics | |
Population | 4,000[1] |
Wakenaam is an island of about 17.5 square miles (45 km2) at the mouth of the Essequibo River of Guyana. One of the largest islands (the others being Leguan and Hogg Island) 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"[1] and still contains old Dutch graves at various locations on the island. 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.