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(Opposite) An eroded peak near lakes in Guyana. (Right) Mighty Kaieteur Falls is five times the height of Niagara Falls and twice the height of Victoria Falls. It was named for a native chief, Kale, who according to legend paddled over the falls to appease the gods and save his tribe. 1

“Land of Waters”

THE NATION OF GUYANA (officially known as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana) received its name from the South American Indian word guiana , which means “land of waters.” It’s an apt description for this country, which not only borders the Atlantic Ocean but also features a number of large and important rivers. The European explorers who came to the region in the 16th and 17th cen- turies were the first to refer to it as Guyana. The original Guyana was larger and was marked by the triangle formed by three major South American rivers—the Amazon, Negro, and Orinoco. The region included what today are the countries of Guyana, Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), and French Guiana, as well as part of Venezuela.

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