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Georgetown, estimated population 75,000 (1985), is the capital and largest city of Guyana. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Demerara River. Georgetown was originally called Stabroek when the Dutch controlled the region. It was renamed Georgetown in 1812, after the British occupied the colony during the Napoleonic Wars.
Demerara sugar, timber, bauxite, gold, and diamonds are exported through Georgetown's harbour.
Georgetown is the seat of the University of Guyana. St. George's Cathedral (http://www.stgeorges.org.gy) is a fine example of Victorian wooden architecture.
The city has an abundance of tree-lined streets and avenues. It is laid out in a N-S, E-W grid, interlaced with canals that provide drainage to a city that lies below high-tide level.
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