Guyana: Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital of Guyana and 1/3 of the country’s population of 750,000 people lives here. Founded by the Dutch and later taken over by British, the city preserves both influences – historic Stabroek Market, English churches and Dutch kirks, massive wooden colonial buildings of City Hall, High Court, Parliament, National Museum and Library, and many private mansions. The city lies below the sea level and a massive sea wall surrounds and protects it from the pounding Atlantic Ocean. I’d be hard pressed to say it is an enjoyable city to explore – it’s very dirty, hot, chaotic, and doesn’t feel particularly safe.