Land Of Waters

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31131, 6 August 1966, Page 12

Land Of Waters

written for "Th* Preet" By

KENNETH ANTHONY)

rujYANA. formerly known '-’as British Guiana, is the latest former colony to achieve independence as a member of the British Commonwealth,

and has started Its stampissuing career with a series of overprints like this one, on the existing British Guiana series.

The 48 cent value is particularly appropriate to the occasion. In the Amerindian dialect, Guyana means “land of waters.” Located on the north coast of South America, Guyana is noted for its mighty rivers. But undoubtedly its most Impressive spectacle is the Kaieteur Falls depicted on the stamp. This waterfall on the Potara river drops 741 feet—nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls. Yet how few people—apart from stamp-collectors, of course—have ever heard of it The Kaieteur Falls have been featured on British Guiana stamps ever since 1898. Guyana’s many waterfalls and rapids are some of the difficulties of transport and communications that are holding back the country’s development In recent years, however, Important surveys have been