Arakaka is a community in the
Barima-Waini
Barima-Waini (Region 1) is a region of Guyana. Venezuela claims the territory as part of Guayana Esequiba.
The region is located in the northwest of the country and has a population of 26,941. It covers an area of . It borders the Atlantic Ocean ...
region of
Guyana
Guyana ( or ), officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. Guyana is an indigenous word which means "Land of Many Waters". The capital city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the ...
, standing on the
Barima River
The Barima River is a tributary of the Orinoco River, entering from the Atlantic Ocean. It originates from the Imataka Mountains in Guyana, flowing for approximately before entering Venezuela about from its mouth.
Features
Early recorded exp ...
and 12 miles southerly of
Port Kaituma
Port Kaituma is a small village within the Barima-Waini administrative region of Guyana. It became known internationally as a gateway village to the Peoples Temple settlement in nearby Jonestown. It has long been a hub for mining in the area.
...
, at an altitude of 63 metres (209 feet).
It is the centre of the gold-bearing district, featuring
lateritic
Laterite is both a soil and a rock type rich in iron and aluminium and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are of rusty-red coloration, because of high iron oxide content. They develop by ...
-
saprolitic deposits. Gold mining in the area has attracted international mining companies, such as Alicanto Minerals Ltd (Australia) and Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada).
The population of Arakaka varies according to the amount of mineral extraction in the region. Launches formerly ascended the river regularly to Arakaka, where a mining warden was stationed. Arakaka has a police outpost.
Matthews Ridge is a nearby settlement also in the Matarkai sub-region.
Demographics
According to the 2002 population census, it had 276 inhabitants. This number varies according to the mineral extraction activity in the region.
References
Populated places in Barima-Waini
{{Guyana-geo-stub