Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Administrative region in southern Guyana
Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo is a region in southern Guyana covering about 57,750 square kilometers (22,300 square miles). It features rainforests, mangrove swamps, and the expansive Rupununi savannah near the Brazilian border.
The region witnessed the Rupununi Rebellion in January 1969, when inhabitants attempted to establish an independent government. The movement ended without external support and the area returned to national administration.
The Wapichan indigenous communities live throughout this territory and maintain their traditional ways of life. They actively work to protect their ancestral lands from mining and industrial expansion.
Lethem serves as the administrative center and main hub for connections to various settlements through roads and river transportation. Reaching this remote area takes planning and patience, as access is limited and travel times can be long.
The territory contains multiple ecosystems supporting rare animal species and is affected by an ongoing territorial claim between Guyana and Venezuela. This geopolitical situation shapes the region's development and identity in important ways.
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