Grade 5 Social Studies Term 1

Social Studies
Grade Five
Term 1
1
Table of Contents
TOPIC: The Family ...................................................................................................................................... 4
SUB-TOPIC: The People Who Came ....................................................................................................... 4
THE AMERINDIANS .......................................................................................................................... 5
THE EUROPEANS ............................................................................................................................ 12
THE AFRICANS ................................................................................................................................ 16
PORTUGUESE................................................................................................................................... 24
THE EAST INDIANS ........................................................................................................................ 27
THE CHINESE ................................................................................................................................... 32
TOPIC: Politeness....................................................................................................................................... 35
SUB-TOPIC: Rules for better living ....................................................................................................... 35
SUB-TOPIC: Showing respect for public infrastructure. ....................................................................... 37
TOPIC: Our Community ..................................................................................................................... 39
SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours ........................................................... 39
TOPIC: Our Community ...................................................................................................................... 40
SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours ............................................................ 40
TOPIC: Our Community ...................................................................................................................... 41
SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours .............................................................................. 41
TOPIC: Our Community............................................................................................................................. 42
SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours (Continued) ............................................................... 42
TOPIC: Our Community ..................................................................................................................... 44
SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM .................................................................................................................. 44
TOPIC: Our Community............................................................................................................................. 47
SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM (continued) ................................................................................................... 47
TOPIC: Guyana’s Natural Regions. .......................................................................................................... 50
SUB - TOPIC: What is a Natural Region? ............................................................................................ 50
SUB - TOPIC: The Low Coastal Plain .................................................................................................. 51
TOPIC: Guyana’s Natural Regions............................................................................................................. 54
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SUB - TOPIC: The Hilly Sand and Clay Region................................................................................... 54
SUB - TOPIC: The Highland Region .................................................................................................... 57
SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs.................................................................................................. 58
SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs ............................................................................................. 59
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TOPIC: The Family
SUB-TOPIC: The People Who Came
The family is made up of one race which is the human race. The human race was first divided
into three main groups:
1. Negroid (black)
2. Mongoloid (yellow)
3. Caucasoid (white)
Over the years, these groups have inter-married, causing the world to have varying ethnic
groups. In Guyana, there are six main ethnic groups:
1. Amerindians
2. Europeans
3. Africans
4. Portuguese
5. East Indians
6. Chinese
There is a seventh ethnic group, made up of any two or more of the above, to form the mixed
race.
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THE AMERINDIANS
1. The Amerindians were the first set of people to live in Guyana.
2. The Amerindians were the Indigenous people of Guyana (first people)
3. Amerindians were also called the American Indians
4. The Amerindians came from Asia, in a place called Mongolia
5. The Amerindians crossed the Bering Strait to reach North America
6. Alaska is the first part of America the Amerindians reached.
7. The Bering Strait is a narrow body of water which was frozen at that time
8. The frozen body of water was also called the Ice Bridge
9. The Ice Bridge connected Asia and North America
10. They crossed the Ice Bridge/ Bering Strait because they followed animals/ cattle where
ever they went and ended up in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.
11. The Amerindians left Asia during the Ice age, following their animals ( buffalo and seals)
as they moved from one feeding ground to another (continent or country)
12. Their cattle / animals walked through the continent of North America into Central
America, the Caribbean and throughout South America
13. Guyana is a part of the continent of South America
14. They are nine Amerindian Tribes in Guyana. FOUR main tribes and FIVE sub tribes that
settled in Guyana
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The Four main Amerindian tribes were
1. The Arawaks
2. Caribs
3. Warraus
4. Wapishanas
The Five sub tribes

1. Patamonas
2. Makusi
3. Wai Wais
4. Akawaios
5. Arecunas
The Amerindians came to Guyana in search of:

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1. warmer lands
2. grazing pasture for their cattle
3. The Amerindians depend on the animals for their food and as the animals moved, they
moved also.
THE WAY OF LIFE

1. The Amerindians were hunters and fishermen
2. They knew how to trap animals for food
3. They were skillful in making weapons out of stones and bones
4. They used their stone and bone knife to scrape the skin of animals to make clothing
5. They later learned how to cultivate the land and produce food from plants
Therefore, we can say that the Amerindians obtained their food from
1. Farming
2. Hunting
3. Fishing
Some foods that they plant (food from roots):
1. Yams
2. Cassava
3. Sweet potatoes
Food from seed:

1. Maize
2. Peanut
They use these foods as their main diet (staples)
1. Cassava is used to prepare food such as
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2. Cassareep is used to make pepper pot
3. Farine is used to make drink such as alcoholic beverages like piwari and cassiri
DANCE
1. Mari Mari
2. Baboon
3. Carrion crow
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BELIEFS
Each Amerindian tribe has its own beliefs and customs, for example, Patamonas believe in
Mokanaima who is their God or the supreme being.
The Amerindians believe in spirit Gods, for example;
1. Makonama- the supreme God of heaven and earth
2. Pujaikma- mountain spirit of diseases such as influenza etc.
3. Maigok- a forest spirit who is invisible (who you cannot see) when he attacks, he causes
vomiting, fever and fits
4. Kanaima- an evil male spirit which goes around killing other Amerindians for some
wrong they did him/her or members of his/her family
5. Massacuraman
6. Bush dai dai
CONTRIBUTION TO GUYANESE SOCIETY

Amerindians contribution to the Guyanese Society:
1. They named rivers (Cuyuni Mazarun)
2. Water falls (kaieteur Fall, Amatuki water fall)
3. Guiana (Guyana) is an Amerindian word meaning” Land of many waters” or watery

country
4. Mashramani – means celebration after hard cooperative work

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5. Food (tasso, pepper pot, cassava bread)
CRAFTS
1. Hammocks which is used by many Guyanese
2. Nibbi furniture
3. Baskets
4. Tibisiri mat
5. Ornaments
6. Jewellery which are made from beads
Amerindian settled in places like:
1. Mahaica
2. Mahaicony
3. Abary river
4. Mazuruni river
5. Orealla
6. Pakaraima
7. Pomeroon
8. Canje
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1. The head of an Amerindian settlement or reservation is called CAPTAIN or
TOUCHAUS
2. Amerindians traditional homes are called benabs
3. Their homes are made out of:
*Troolie palm
*Eta palm
*Shingle
*Wood bark
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THE EUROPEANS
1. The Europeans were the second set of people to arrive in Guiana (Guyana)
2. Four (4) groups of Europeans came to British Guiana (Guyana), there are:
1. Dutch from the Netherlands
2. Spanish from Spain
3. French from France
4. English from England
These groups all came from the continent of Europe
Reason why the Europeans came to Guiana (Guyana):
1. They came in search for the golden city of Eldorado
2. They came in search of new lands
Reasons why the Europeans settled:
1. They came to cultivate the soil
2. To trade with the Amerindians
The Europeans traded with the Amerindian through a system called Barter
Bartering is the exchange of goods and services without the use of money
The Europeans exchanged with the Amerindians:
1. Knives
2. Axes
3. Lengths of cloth
4. Coloured beads
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The Amerindians exchange with the Europeans:
1. Hemp (used for making rope for ships)
2. Annatto dye (dye cloth)
3. Food stuff (butter, cheese)
1. In order for the Europeans to trade with the Amerindians they had to setup trading post,
where the two groups could meet to barter.
2. The Europeans built forts to protect themselves from invaders
3. The Dutch were the first to set up trading post and built forts
Some forts were
1. Fort Kyk-over-al (see overall) can be found at the confluence (where two or more rivers
meet) of the Essequibo River, Cuyuni and Mazaruni River
2. Fort Zeelandia (Flag Island) can be found at the mouth of the Essequibo River
3. Fort Nova Zeelandia can be found up the Pomeroon River
4. Fort St. Andries which was built at the confluence (where two or more rivers meet) of the
Canje and Berbice River
5. Fort Nassau was built fifty miles up the Berbice River
The European recognized that the soil was suitable for cultivating tobacco and other crops
1. Due to the demand for tobacco in Europe the Europeans decided to plant tobacco in
British Guiana, then later planted cotton and sugar
2. Sugar was also needed for making cakes, biscuits and sweetener for beverages
3. In order to meet the demand for sugar the European enslaved the Amerindians
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4. Many of the Amerindians ran away into the forest because they were not accustomed to
hard work on the plantation, while many of them died from diseases brought by the
Europeans.
5. In order to continue the cultivation when the Amerindians ran away, the Europeans
decided to use Africans as slaves
6. After slavery was abolished, they used the Portuguese, East-Indians and Chinese as
indentured labourers
CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE EUROPEANS

1. Language/English-Guyanese speak English because Guyana was a colony of the English-
speaking Great Britain.
2. Food such as pastries, puddings, pies
3. Dress- suit and tie, aprons
Places that were named by the English

1. Bourda 2. Lethem
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3. Kingston 6. Anna Regina
4. Victoria 7. Charity
5. Wales 8. Georgetown
Places named by the Dutch
1. Stabroek 4. Vreed-en-Hoop
2. Beterverwagting 5. Soesdyke
3. Uitvlugt
Places named by the French
1. La Repentir 4. Malgretout
2. La Resouvenir 5. La Grange
3. Chateau Margot
Places named by the Spanish
1. Santa Rosa
2. El Dorado
1. The Europeans were the first to build churches and schools
2. The first church was the Roman Catholic Church
3. The Dutch divided Guyana into three counties and each county had its own capital
Europeans made crafts out of pottery
1. Vase
2. Mug
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THE AFRICANS
1. The Africans who came to the Caribbean and Guyana came from off the coast of West Africa
in the continent of Africa
2. They were the third ethnic group who came to British Guiana (Guyana)
3. Some countries Africans came from are
1. The Congo 4. Mali
2. Cameroon 5. Gambia
3. Togo
Slavery was existing in Africa before the Europeans brought it here in Guyana
1. Africans came to Guyana as slaves to work on the sugar plantations.
2. A slave is someone who works very hard without being paid.
3. The system under which the slaves worked and lived was called SLAVERY
4. They came by ships and had to cross the Atlantic Ocean
5. The journey from Africa to the Caribbean and Guyana was called the Middle Passage.
6. It was a horrifying experience for the slaves which lasted from six to ten weeks.
7. The journey of the Europeans from Europe to Africa and the Caribbean and back to
Europe was called the Triangular Trade.
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The Europeans obtained slaves by:
1. Capturing them and luring them into ships
2. Capture through tribal wars
3. Raiding parties
Slaves experienced some difficulties during the middle passage
1. The men were chained with iron shackles around their ankles and joined by chains looped
to the shackles of their neighbours.
2. The women and children were packed below deck.
3. There were food shortages, many Africans died from hunger while many others killed
themselves in the Atlantic Ocean.
4. When the Africans reached Guyana, they were exchanged for goods since there was no
common currency existing in West Africa.
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Some of the goods were:
1. Pieces of cloth
2. Gold dust
3. Copper bars
4. Knives
5. Glass beads
6. Cutlass
7. Liquor
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Life on the plantation for the Africans
1. The homes the Africans lived in was called adobe which was made of very flimsy
materials
2. It was very low and had no chimney ventilation
3. Each family had an iron pot and a blanket for each individual to sleep on at night.
4. Africans were given clothing once a year or twice in every eighteen months (18)
5. The men received a coarse woolen jacket, hat and canvas which made trousers
6. The women were given the same kind of clothing while those who had young children
were given a hammock called baba
7. Their food consisted of vegetables and salted fish. Whenever plantain, cassava and yam
were grown, they formed the main diet of the slaves
Difficulties faced on the plantation

Some difficulties the Africans faced on the plantations were:
1. They had to work for very long hours (6am to 6pm daily)
2. They were given their first meal at midday
3. They were beaten or flog with a whip
4. Some slaves were branded with hot iron, hung on wheels and had parts of their bodies
chopped off.
Types of slaves:
1. House or Domestic slaves
2. Field slaves who worked in the cane fields
3. Factory slaves who worked in the factory
Due to harsh punishment slaves rebelled. Some rebellions or revolt by the slaves were:
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1. Berbice Slave Rebellion- took place on the 23rd February 1763 on plantation
Magdalenenburg, led by Cuffy
2. East Coast Slave Insurrection- took place in August 1823 on plantation Le Resouvenir.
In remembrance of these slaves, monuments were erected
1. 1763 monument- located at Square of the Revolution in Georgetown
2. Damon’s Monument-located in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast
Ending of Slavery/Abolition
1. The period of transition called Apprenticeship lasted 6 years for field slaves and 4 years
for house slaves.
2. During this time Africans worked for fixed number of hours each week and received
small wages/money.
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3. After the apprenticeship period, slaves were emancipated or freed
4. Slaves were no longer forced to work on the plantation under harsh conditions
5. Slaves could decide whether to work or not
6. Ex-slaves pooled their wages/money and bought abandoned plantations
7. The first plantation slaves bought was plantation Northbrook now called Victoria
8. Ex-slaves also bought the first community found in Essequibo called Queenstown
9. Buying of villages and communities by the ex-slaves was called Village Movement
Some people who started the campaign to end slavery were:
1. Thomas Buxton
2. Thomas Clarkson
3. Granville Sharp
4. George Canning
5. James Ramsay
6. William Wilberforce
Some villages bought by ex-slaves are:
1. Buxton
2. Friendship
3. Peter’s Hall
4. Plaisance
5 Ithaca
6 Bushlot
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African contributed to the Guyanese society in many ways:
Food
1. cook-up-rice
2. yam and plantain foo-foo
3. conkie
Dress:
1. Dashikis
2. Wraps
3. Headties
Jewellery:
1. Legbands
2. Armbands
3. Chains of beads
Musical instruments:
1. Drums (bongos,kittles and great talking drums)
2. Marimbas
3. Marracas
Festival and beliefs:
1. Cumfa
2. Masquerade
3. Obeah
4. Voodoo
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Crafts:
1. Weaving of mats
2. Baskets
3. Pots and jars (made from clay mud, carvings)
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PORTUGUESE
1. The Portuguese were the fourth 4th group of people who came to Guyana
2. The Portuguese came from Madeira
3. The first batch of Portuguese came to Guyana on the 3rd of May 1838
4. The name of the ship that bought the first batch of Portuguese to Guiana was Louisa
Baillie.
5. The Portuguese worked on the plantation under the system called indentureship
6. They were the first group of indentured immigrants to arrive in Guyana
7. Indentured ship lasted for the period of five years
8. After the five years were over many of the Portuguese left the plantation and opened
businesses, eg, groceries
9. They also did small scale trading
The reasons why Portuguese came to Guyana were

1. To replace the Africans on the sugar plantation
2. To increase the white population
Some plantation were the Portuguese were sent are:

1. Plantation La Patience
2. Plantation Liliendaal
3. Plantation Thomas now known as Thomas Lands in Georgetown
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Portuguese contribution to Guyana society
Food
1. Garlic pork
2. Beef stew
3. Red bean soup
4. Pancakes
Music or musical instruments
1. Rajas (a type of banjo)
2. Braggs (small Portuguese guitar)
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Customs or beliefs
1. They believed in the holy spirit of Pentecost
2. Christmas brass
3. Businesses –J.P Santos, Banks DIH Ltd, John Fernandes, Fogarty’s Ltd
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THE EAST INDIANS
4. East Indians were the fifth ethnic group to arrive in British Guyana
5. They came from India which is found in the continent of Asia.
6. The first group of East Indians came from the hilly districts of Chota, Nagpur, Burdwan
and Bancoorah, which all were close to Calcutta.
7. They were called East Indians because they came from the eastern side of the world.
8. The East Indians came to Guyana by ships or vessels:
 The Whitby
 The Hesperus
The Whitby sailed from India on January 13, 1838 with 249 immigrants. The vessel took 112
days to arrive in Guyana on May 5, 1838. Five persons died on the voyage(journey)which took
place on the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean
The Hesperus leave Calcutta on January 29, 1838 and journeyed the Indian and Atlantic Ocean
with 165 persons on board. The journey took about 96 days to arrive in Guyana on May 5.
Thirteen persons died on that voyage
1. The East Indians immigrants were sent to different plantations such as:
1. Highbury and Waterloo in Berbice
2. Bel Vue and Vreed-en-hoop in Region three

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Some difficulties during the journey
1. Overcrowded ships
2. Some of the Immigrants got sick and died because there was a shortage of medicine
3. Shortage of food
Reasons for coming
1. They came to work on the sugar plantation as indentured immigrants/servants
2. They signed an agreement to work on the plantation for a period of five years
They were given:
1. Food /ration
2. Lodging
3. Clothing
4. Medical attendance and supplies
5. Wages for their labour.
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Life on the plantation
1. Life was very difficult for both young and old
2. They worked for long hours, from 6am to 6pm
3. The children between the ages of 5 to 10 had to work in the creole gang. They had to:
1. Clear drains and trenches
2. Carry water to the cane cutters
3. Put manure/mold on the young sugar cane plants
4. Take care of animals.
5. The East Indians’ homes were called logies
6. East Indians were free to return to India after the five years period
7. Those who stayed were given land in exchange for their passage
8. The East Indians used the land to build homes and places of worship
9. Land development schemes were set up by the government to encourage the East Indians
to stay.
Places where the Land development scheme were set up were in:
1. Essequibo – Vergenoegen, Huis’t Dieren and Anna Regina
2. Demerara – Cane Grove, La Bonne Mere, Helena and Nooten Zuil
3. Berbice – Bush Lot, Whim and Black Bush Polder
1. The East Indians used their scheme for farming
2. Rice was a major crop grown on the farm
3. They were the first to develop the rice industry because rice was planted on a large scale
There were many strikes and disturbances on the sugar plantations during the Indian
Indentureship. Many East Indians lost their lives.
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Some plantations where the strikes took place were:
1. The Devonshire Castle riots in September 1872
The workers were protesting for high wages and five of them were killed and seven were
wounded.
2. On Plantation Friends in Berbice on May 6, 1903
The protest was for inadequate payment for the work done by the indentured immigrants
Six of them were killed by police from the unruly crowd
3. Plantation Lusignan on September 18,1912
One person was shot
4. Plantation Enmore on June 16, 1948
The workers were protesting against the cut and load system
They had to cut the canes and then load them on to the punts with very little increase in
pay. Five of the workers were killed and 14 injured.
A monument was erected in remembrance of the five workers called Enmore Martyrs
The names of the Martyrs are:
1. Surujbally
2. Rambarran
3. Lalabajee
4. Harry
5. Pooran
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The East Indians’ contributed to the Guyanese Society in
the following ways:
1. FOOD- Dhal and rice, roti and curry, Dhal puri

and sweet meats
2. Dress – sari, orhni, shalwars, kurtas and lahenga
3. FESTIVALS - Eid-Ul- Adha, Eid- Ul-Fitr,

Youman Nabi, Phagwah, Diwali
4. JEWELLERY- Bracelets, Bangles, Brooches,

anklets, finger ring
5. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS- sitars, mandolins,

tassa
6. DANCES- kathack, nagara, odissi
Similarities between the Africans and the East Indians
1. They both worked on the sugar plantation for long

hours
2. They both were beaten and treated badly.
Differences between the Africans and the East Indians are:
1. The East Indians were paid while the Africans were not paid for their labour.
2. The Africans slaves could be sold at any time to a new master but the East Indians could
not be sold.
3. The East Indians were contracted to work for five years and returned to India if they
chose to while the Africans had to stay and work.
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THE CHINESE
The Chinese came from the continent of Asia
1.The first batch of Chinese immigrants came to Guyana on January12, 1853
2.The first ship to arrive in Guyana with 262 out of 305 passengers, about 43 of them died during
the voyage.
The ships which brought the Chinese to Guyana were:
1. Lord Elgin
2. The Glentanner
3. Samuel Boddington
The Chinese came to work on the sugar plantation as indentured immigrants
Some sugar estates where the Chinese were sent to work were:
1. Blankenerburg
2. Pouderoyen
3. Union
4. La Jalousie
5. Schoon Ord
6. Stewartville
7. Anna Regina Hague
8. Harlem
9. Anna Catherina
The Chinese contributions to the Guyanese

society
FOOD – fried rice, wanton soup, chop suey, sweet
and sour Relishes, chowmein
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CLOTHES- tunics, sarongs, cheongsams
FESTIVALS- Chinese New Year, each year is named after an animal
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT- Symbols
DANCE- Dragon dance
CRAFT- Embroidery
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TOPIC: Politeness
SUB-TOPIC: Rules for better living
Definition
Politeness means having or showing good manners or respect for other people. Being polite helps
you to have appropriate and considerate behaviour which will enable you to form good manners
and become more socially attentive when you grow up.
Breaking of rules:
1. Rules broken at home and school result in punishment of some form.
2. Rules broken at work place can result in one being disciplined or fired.
3. Rules broken at society or country levels result in one being punished by the courts.
4. Rules broken in games can lead to disqualification.
5. Rules broken in travelling can result in an accident
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School rules are important for the effective management of the school.
Some school rules are:
- Attend school regularly & punctually.
- Pupils must always be dressed in uniforms.
- Pupils must obey the bell etc.
Some home rules are:

- Obey your parents.
- Show respect for older relatives.
- Be courteous to your friends and relatives.
Some rules when among elders:

- Show respect for elders
- Greet elderly people.
- help elderly people.
Some rules for travelling:

-Wear seat belts, helmets or life jackets.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not carry firearm, weapons or explosive.
Some rules for the road:

-Walk on the right-hand side of the road.
- Use the pedestrian crossing.
- Vehicles must use speed limit.
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Some rules for sports and games:
-Obey decisions made by the referee or umpire.
- Follow given instructions.
- Be friendly to your opponent.
SUB-TOPIC: Showing respect for public infrastructure.

Infrastructure refers to permanent structures found in our community and country. Some
infrastructures found in our community are roads, bridges, landmarks, properties, private and
public buildings, monuments, water systems, utility posts (such as telephone and electricity), bus
sheds, water hydrants, pump stations, sluices and kokers, play grounds and parks.
All infrastructures in our community must be protected because they are of service to the people
in the community.
Some ways by which infrastructures can be protected are:
1. Putting up signs such as No trespassing, No bills.
2. Do not:
1. sit on rails of bridges, culverts,
2. throw stones on building, post bills, litter, tie animals on posts.
1. Follow the instructions of road signs.
2. Keep animals off the road.
Pictures of infrastructure in Your Community
Community Play Parks Traffic Lights Fire Hydrant
SUB-TOPIC:
1. Desirable behaviours
2. Respect for leaders and visitors.
3. Courtesy rules and maxims.
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Some desirable behaviours children must have are:
1. Being courteous to all elders and peers.

2. Being kind to everyone.
3. Greet or welcome everyone.
4. Being polite.
5. Be helpful to all.
6. Show care and concern.
Showing respect for leaders and elders:
1. Answer verbally when spoken to.

2. Say excuse me if you have to interrupt.
3. Remember to say please, thank you and sorry in different situations.
4. Greet elders and visitors.
5. -Address elders and visitors appropriately.
6. Enquire from visitors if they need help.
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TOPIC: Our Community
SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental
Neighbours
1. A continent is a large land mass separated from other land masses usually by oceans.
2. The world is made up of seven continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South
America, Australia and Antarctica.
3. Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours are those countries that are found closest to
it. They are:
Brazil
Suriname
Venezuela
Brazil
1. Situated to the south and south - west of Guyana.
2. Separated from Guyana by the Ireng and Takatu
Rivers
Suriname
1. Situated to the east of Guyana.
2. Separated from Guyana by the Corentyne River
Venezuela
1. Situated to the west of Guyana.
Separated from Guyana by the Amakura and Wenamu
Rivers
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SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Immediate Continental Neighbours
COUNTRY CAPITAL OFFICIAL MAIN CURRENCY

LANGUAGE EXPORT
Brazil Brasilia Portuguese Coffee and Real
timber Previously used
Cruzeiro and Cruzado
Suriname Paramaribo Dutch Alumina and Suriname dollar
Javanese, Hindi and rice
English are also spoken
Venezuela Caracas Spanish Petroleum and Bolivar (named after

petroleum Simon Bolivar, a
products national hero of
Venezuela)
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SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours
Map showing the continent of South America
1. South America is the 4th largest continent.

2. It is made up of 13 countries.
3. All of the countries are independent except French Guiana.
4. It has the world’s largest rainforest.
5. There are 9 Spanish speaking countries, Guyana is the only English-
speaking country in South America.
6. Brazil is the largest country in South America and the 5th largest in
the world.
Guyana’s other Continental Neighbours

Country Capital
Argentina Buenos Aires
Bolivia La Paz
Chile Santiago
Colombia Bogota
Ecuador Quito
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French Guiana Cayenne
Paraguay Asuncion
Peru Lima
Uruguay Montevideo

SUB-TOPIC: Guyana’s Continental Neighbours (Continued)
Country Capital Currency Main Export Language
Argentina Buenos Peso Wheat Spanish

Aires Corn English
Soybean Italian
Bolivia La Paz Bolivian Peso, Natural gas Spanish

Boliviano Gold Aymara
Silver Quechua
Tin
Chile Santiago Peso Petroleum Spanish

Natural gas
Copper
Colombia Bogota Peso Coffee Spanish

Minerals- such as emerald
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Ecuador Quito Sucre Banana Spanish
Quechua
French Cayenne French franc Bauxite French
Guiana
Paraguay Asuncion Paraguayan Cotton fiber Spanish
Peso Soy beans Guarani
Processed meat
Peru Lima Nuevo Sol Copper Spanish

Lead
Uruguay Montevideo Uruguayan new Textile Spanish
Peso Textile products
Wool
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SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM
Guyana’s Caribbean neighbours are those countries or islands which are located in and around the Caribbean Sea. These countries or
islands were once colonies and also share certain relationships with Guyana. These countries share common history, language, crops,
ethnic groups and agricultural activities similar to Guyana.
The Caribbean islands are divided into Greater Antilles consisting of the large islands such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic,
Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands and Virgin Islands.
The Lesser Antilles which consist of Leeward Islands such as; British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Antigua
and Barbuda and Montserrat.
The Windward Islands such as Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent, &Grenadines, Grenada, Martinique, Barbados. Trinidad & Tobago.
44
CARICOM means Caribbean Community
1. CARICOM was formed on July 4th, 1973
2. The agreement which formed CARICOM is called the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
3. The Treaty was signed in Trinidad at a place called Chaguaramas (however the treaty was revised on July 5th,2001 in Nassau,
Bahamas)
4. The countries that formed CARICOM (first agreement) are called the founding members.
The founding members of CARICOM are:

1. Guyana represented by Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham
2. Barbados represented by Mr. Errol Barrow
3. Jamaica represented by Mr. Michael Manley
4. Trinidad and Tobago represented by Mr. Eric Williams
CARICOM is headed by a Secretary General
1. The present Secretary General of CARICOM is Mr. Irwin Larocque.
2. The CARICOM Secretariat is located in Georgetown Guyana at Liliendaal.

There are fifteen countries that makes up the CARICOM community
1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. The Bahamas
3. Barbados
45
4. Belize
5. Dominica
6. Grenada
7. Guyana
8. Haiti
9. Jamaica
10. Montserrat
11. St. Kitts and Nevis
12. St. Lucia
13. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
14. Suriname
15. Trinidad and Tobago
46
SUB-TOPIC: CARICOM (continued)
No CARICOM Capital Location Language Currency Date of Main Export Known As

country membership
1 Guyana Georgetown South English Guyana August 1,1973 Sugar, rice, bauxite Land of many
America dollars waters/breadbasket of the
Caribbean
2 Antigua & St. John Eastern English E. C July 4,1974 Sugar-cane, cotton Land of the rising sun/land
Barbuda Caribbean dollars of 365 beaches
3 The Nassau South English Bahamian July 4,1983 Lumber, coconut The place where world’s
Bahamas East of Dollars meet
Florida
4 Barbados Bridgetown Eastern English Barbados August 1,1973 Sugar, electrical Land of the flying fish
Caribbean Dollars equipment
5 Belize Belmopan Central English Belize May 1,1974 Sugar, mahagony Mother nature’s best kept
America Dollars secret
6 Dominica Roseau Northerly English E. C May 1,1974 Coconut, citrus The nature Isle of the
Dollars Caribbean
7 Grenada St. Georges Windward English E. C May 1,1974 Nutmeg, cocoa Spice island
Island Dollars
8 Haiti Port-au- Caribbean Haitian Gourde February 2,2002 Sugar The pearl of the Caribbean
Prince sea creole &
French
47
9 Jamaica Kingston Caribbean English Jamaican August 1,1973 Sugar, bauxite Isle of spring/land of wood
Sea Dollars & water
10 Montserrat Plymouth Leeward English E. C May 1,1974 Spices, machinery Emerald Isle of the west
Island Dollars
11 St. Lucia Castries Caribbean English E. C May 1,1974 Coconut, banana Helen of the west indies
Sea Dollars
12 St. Kitts & Basseterre Leeward English E. C July 26,1974 Sugar, cotton Mother colony of the west
Nevis Island Dollars indies
13 St. Vincent Kingstown Windward English E. C May 1,1974 Banana, sweet potatoes Jewel of the Caribbean
& the Island Dollars
Grenadines
14 Suriname Paramaribo South Dutch Suriname July 4,1995 Bauxite,petroleum Beating heart of the Amazon
America Dollars
15 Trinidad & Port-of- Lesser English T&T August 1,1973 Petroleum, sugar Land of the hummingbird
Tobago spain Antilles Dollars
48
Map of the Caribbean Sea
49
TOPIC: Guyana’s Natural Regions.
SUB - TOPIC: What is a Natural Region?
Guyana has different landforms called Natural Region.
A Natural Region is an area, which has similar features such as soil, built of land, plants or
vegetation and climate.
The Four Natural Regions are:
1. Low Coastal Plain
2. Hilly Sand and Clay Region
3. High Land Region
4. Interior Savannah
50
SUB - TOPIC: The Low Coastal Plain
The Low Coastal Plain is a narrow flat strip of land, stretching from Northern tip of Point Playa to
the Corentyne River, to a distance of approximately 432 kilometres (270 miles). Its width is about
16 to 64 kilometres (10 to 40 miles).
The Low Coastal Plain is about 2 to 4 metres (6 to 8 feet) below sea level. During high tide, most
of the coastline is below sea level. To keep the tide out, concrete sea-walls, dams and groynes (a
structure built to interrupt water flow and limit movement of sediments, e.g. sluices and kokers)
have been built. The climate of this coastal region consist of two(2) wet(rainy) and two(2) dry
seasons.
Soil
There are three types of soil on the Coastal Plain.
1. Silty clay or mud forms our rice and sugar lands.
2. Pegasse soil, which is soft and spongy, found especially in the Essequibo. Coffee, fruits and
vegetables grow well in this type of soil.
3. Sandy soil, called reef lands found on the Corentyne Coast, where coconuts grow.
Vegetation
The vegetation (plant growth of any country or region) of the Coastal Plain is affected by soil,
climate and land formation. The natural vegetation (flora) on the mudflats of the Essequibo,
Berbice and Demerara is the mangrove and courida, their roots hold the soil together and prevent
erosion, by the sea water. Other natural vegetation includes the Troolie Palm, the Ete Palm,
Manni, White Cedar and Crabwood.
51
Resources
The build of the land, its clayey soil and the wet and dry climates makes it suitable for the growth
of, sugarcane, rice, coconuts, ground provisions, green vegetables and fruits. The rearing of
poultry, livestock and fishes in some areas of this region, makes Agriculture the main economic
activity on the Coastal Plain.
Population
Most of the population of Guyana, live on the Coastal Plain, earning their living on the sugar
estates, the rice fields and other agricultural areas, or working in towns and villages as public
servants.
Important Places
Some important places on the Coastal Plain:
Five towns of Guyana are located here. They are:
1. Georgetown – the capital city and chief port.
2. Anna Regina
3. New Amsterdam
4. Rose Hall
5. Corriverton
The Tapakuma Irrigation Project on the Essequibo Coast.
Chief Lakes Also on the Essequibo Coast. These are:
1. The Tapakuma Lake
2. The Quakabuka or Mainstay Lake
3. Capoey Lake and Ituribisci Lake
52
The Agricultural Project
1. The Mahaica Mahaicony Abary, Agricultural Development Authority. (MMA/ADA)
Population
servants.
Important Places
Some important places on the Coastal Plain:
Five towns of Guyana are located here. They are:
2. Georgetown – the capital city and chief port.
3. Anna Regina
4. New Amsterdam
5. Rose Hall
6. Corriverton
The Tapakuma Irrigation Project on the Essequibo Coast.
Chief Lakes Also on the Essequibo Coast. These are:
7. The Tapakuma Lake
8. The Quakabuka or Mainstay Lake
9. Capoey Lake and Ituribisci Lake
The Agricultural Project
10. The Mahaica Mahaicony Abary, Agricultural Development Authority. (MMA/ADA)
53
SUB - TOPIC: The Hilly Sand and Clay Region
Population
servants.
The Hilly Sand and Clay Region is found south of the Low Coastal Plain. It covers about one
quarter of Guyana and extends from the Pomeroon River, arcs inland to the Mazaruni and Potaro
Rivers, then eastward to the Corentyne, the border at Suriname.
This sandy region has hills of various heights, with valleys and many black water creeks. The days
are hot and the nights are cold, with some relief rainfall.
Soil
In the Hilly Sand and Clay Region, the soil is made up of white or reddish sand and red clay.
Vegetation
In the red and clayey areas, some agricultural farming is carried out in this region. The sandy soil is
covered is covered by valuable forest of Greenheart, Mora, Crabwood, Wallaba, and other
timbers.
Resources
11. Bauxite, which is mined at Linden(Mackenzie), Ituni and Kwakwani and then exported to
be converted into aluminium.
12. Timber is cut from the Bartica Triangle and Mabura Hill.
13. Dairy products from Moblissa.
14. Mining of sand.
15. Making of Charcoal.
54
Population
This region is not densely populated, as the Coastland. The population which is mainly loggers,
bauxite workers, commercial workers, public servants and Amerindians are found mainly where
bauxite mining is done, timber is cut or logging is done and where there are Missions or
Amerindian Reservations are found – e.g. Orealla, Kalkuni, Epira.
Important Places
Some important places on the Hilly Sand and Clay Region:
Two towns of Guyana are located here. They are:
1. Bartica – situated at the confluence of the Cuyuni, Mazaruni and Essequibo rivers. Bartica
is referred to as “ the gateway to the hinterland”
2. Linden
Mining Communities such as Mackenzie (Linden), Ituni, Kwakwani.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
55
A savannah is tropical grassland with scattered trees. The savannahs of Guyana are named after the
Rupununi River and are situated in the south – west. The forested Kanuku Mountains divide the
area into tow:
1. The North Savannah
2. The South Savannah
Soil
1. Rolling grass lands
Population
The population comprises mainly Guyana’s Indigenous people, the Amerindians who in addition
to being farmers are also vaqueros. i.e. people who look after cattle.
Important Places
Some important places are:
2. Lethem
3. Dadanawa
4. St. Ignatius
5. The Kanuku Mountain Range
Economic Activities
The main Economic Activities are:
1. Cattle ranching
2. Farming peanuts and ground provision
3. Balata bleeding
56
SUB - TOPIC: The Highland Region
Forest – covered mountains are highland are the main features of this region. This is the largest
region and the main source of our forest wealth. The highland is also important because:
1. Some of the largest gold and diamond fields in Guyana are near the mountain.
2. The highlands are areas of heavy rainfall. Rain falling in this region collects in streams
which run off in all directions to form the sources of the country’s main rivers.
3. Majestic wtaerfalls e.g. Kaieteur, Orinduik and other forms of scenic beauty attract tourists
from other countries.
Vegetation
The vegetation consists of dense forests which provide Guyana with timber – a valuable source of
revenue.
Resources
The main resources of this region are:
4. Timber 5. Gold 6. Diamond
Population
Sparsely Populated mainly with loggers, pork knochers, balata bleeders and native Amerindians
Important Places
1. The Mazaruni – Potaro area – the largest gold and diamond producing area in Guyana
2. The Majestic Kaieteur Fall on the Potaro River
3. The Bartica – Potaro Roadway
4. Mount Roraima
Mountain Ranges
1. Imataka 2. Pakaraima 3. Kanuka
4. Kamoa 5. Sierra Acarai
57
SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs
A tropical grassland with scattered trees is known as a Savannah. Guyana’s Savannahs, are also
called the Rupununi, after the main river of this region and Cattle Country because of the
grasslands.
The Kanuku Mountain divides the Interior Savannahs, situated in the South-West of Guyana, into
the North Savannah and South Savannah. The Interior Savannahs experiences long dry ad wet
seasons, each lasting six months.
Soil and Vegetation

The North Savannah, home to the Macushi Tribe, has gently rolling grassland with clumps of trees
in wet areas. The South Savannah, where the Wapisiana’s live, is more hilly. Mountains like
Shiriri, Marudi and Bat, rise sharply from the general level of the plains here. The soil of the
Interior Savannahs clayey and rocky.
Resources
The main resources of this region are beef, peanuts, maize (corn), cassava, yam, vegetables, fishing
and balata bleeding. These resources make cattle ranching and farming the main economic
activities of the Interior Savannahs.
Population
The population comprises mainly of Guyana’s Indigenous people, the Amerindians, who in
addition to being farmers are also vacqueros (cowboys) people who look after cattle.
58
SUB - TOPIC: The Interior Savannahs
Important Places
Some important places on the Hilly Sand and Clay Region:
5. Lethem – one of Guyana’ towns is located here, as well as Lethem’s main Airstrip.
6. Dadanawa – a cattle ranch
7. St. Ignattius – an Amerindian Reservation
8. The Kanuku Mountain Range
59

Grade 5 Social Studies Term 1

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Grade 5 Social Studies Term 1

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Social Studies

2. The Amerindians were the Indigenous people of Guyana (first people)

3. Amerindians were also called the American Indians

4. The Amerindians came from Asia, in a place called Mongolia

5. The Amerindians crossed the Bering Strait to reach North America

6. Alaska is the first part of America the Amerindians reached.

9. The Ice Bridge connected Asia and North America

13. Guyana is a part of the continent of South America

The Five sub tribes

The Amerindians came to Guyana in search of:

2. grazing pasture for their cattle

THE WAY OF LIFE

2. They knew how to trap animals for food

3. They were skillful in making weapons out of stones and bones

Some foods that they plant (food from roots):

Food from seed:

They use these foods as their main diet (staples)

1. Cassava is used to prepare food such as

6. Bush dai dai

CONTRIBUTION TO GUYANESE SOCIETY

1. They named rivers (Cuyuni Mazarun)

2. Water falls (kaieteur Fall, Amatuki water fall)

3. Guiana (Guyana) is an Amerindian word meaning” Land of many waters” or watery

4. Mashramani – means celebration after hard cooperative work

6. Jewellery which are made from beads

Amerindian settled in places like:

2. Amerindians traditional homes are called benabs

3. Their homes are made out of:

1. Dutch from the Netherlands

2. Spanish from Spain

3. French from France

4. English from England

These groups all came from the continent of Europe

Reason why the Europeans came to Guiana (Guyana):

1. They came in search for the golden city of Eldorado

2. They came in search of new lands

Reasons why the Europeans settled:

1. They came to cultivate the soil

2. To trade with the Amerindians

The Europeans exchanged with the Amerindians:

1. Hemp (used for making rope for ships)

2. Annatto dye (dye cloth)

3. Food stuff (butter, cheese)

2. The Europeans built forts to protect themselves from invaders

Some forts were

3. Fort Nova Zeelandia can be found up the Pomeroon River

5. Fort Nassau was built fifty miles up the Berbice River

CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE EUROPEANS

2. Food such as pastries, puddings, pies

3. Dress- suit and tie, aprons

Places that were named by the English

Places named by the Dutch

Places named by the French

Places named by the Spanish

1. The Europeans were the first to build churches and schools

2. The first church was the Roman Catholic Church

Europeans made crafts out of pottery

3. Some countries Africans came from are

1. The Congo 4. Mali

2. A slave is someone who works very hard without being paid.

4. They came by ships and had to cross the Atlantic Ocean

1. Capturing them and luring them into ships

2. Capture through tribal wars