Agatash | |
---|---|
Village | |
Coordinates: 6°22′38″N 58°37′09″W / 6.37709°N 58.61910°W | |
Country | Guyana |
Region | Cuyuni-Mazaruni |
Population (2012)
[1] | |
• Total | 740 |
Climate | Af |
Agatash is a village in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region of Guyana. It is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Bartica along the Essequibo River opposite Sloth Island. [2]
The area used to be crown lands. [2] In the early 1900s, the government of Demerara awarded 1,500 acres (610 ha) for a lime estate. [3] Agatash is made of two Arawak words meaning water and land. [2]
The economy is based on farming and mining. Agatash has a primary school and a health centre. [2] The nearest hospital is in Bartica. [4] Electricity is provided by solar panels donated by the Eerepami Regenwaldstiftung. [5] The village depends on rainwater for drinking. [2] In July 2021, the road to Bartica was paved. [6]
Sloth Island is an ecotourism resort located on an island in the Essequibo River. [7] The island is opposite Agatash, [2] and measures 160 acres (65 ha). [8]
The island was uninhabited, contained pristine rainforests, and was home to many monkeys, sloths, and birds. [7] In the early 1990s, five acres were developed into a tourist resort which was built by Amerindians from Agatash. The remainder has been designated nature reserve. [8] The island can be accessed by a five minute boat ride from Bartica. [7]