Awarewaunau | |
---|---|
Village | |
Coordinates: 2°38′33″N 59°11′31″W / 2.6426°N 59.1919°W | |
Country | Guyana |
Region | Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo |
Government | |
• Toshao | Johnny Duncan (2012-) [1] |
Area | |
• Total | 782.0 km2 (301.93 sq mi) |
Population (2021)
[1] | |
• Total | c. 600 |
Awarewaunau (also: Awaruwaunawa [2]) is a village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. Awarewaunau is inhabited by Wapishana Amerindians. [1]
In 1909 missionaries arrived in the area. [3] Awarewaunau was founded in the 1920s. [1] The name is Wapishana and means Windy Creek Hill. [3] The main religion of the villagers is Christian. [1]
The economy of Awarewaunau is based on subsistence farming and livestock. The village has a primary school and a health centre. [1] Secondary education is offered in Aishalton. [4] As of 2019, the village is connected to the internet. [5] In 2018, water wells were constructed in the village as part of a joint exercise of the Brazilian Army and the Guyana Defence Force. [6]
Awarewaunau is served by the Awaruwaunau Airport. [7] In 2018, a contract was awarded to construct a road from Lethem to Shea via Awarewaunau. [8]
Awarewaunau is on the edge of a large pristine rainforest which is home to cock-of-the-rocks, harpy eagles, and bush dogs. [3] The forest is part of the Wapichan Conserved Forest, a planned 1,400 square kilometres (540 sq mi) protected area. [9]