Geomorphological
Regions in Guyana
GROUP MEMBERS
Laura Dias
Rowena Wilson
Yulanda Phillips
THE GEOMORPHOLOGICAL REGIONS IN
GUYANA
• Guyana has four main geomorphological regions: The
Low Coastal Plain, Hilly Sand Clay Belt , Forested High
Lands and Interior Savannahs
LOW COASTAL PLAIN
• The Low Coastal Plain stretches from the northern tip, Punta Playa in
the west to the Corentyne River in the east at a distance of
approximately 440km.
• The Coastal Plain is the smallest physical region of Guyana. It occupies
a mere 4.3% of the country i.e. approximately 9,128 square kilometers in
area and about 1–3 meters below mean sea level. The length of the
Atlantic Coast is approximately 440kilometers or 270 miles. The
coastline is wider to the east of the country where itis 77 km wide,
whereas it is only 26 km wide at the western end.
Hilly Sand Clay Belt
• The Hilly Sand Clay Belt, is found inland of the coastal zone,
although not in the north-west. This region is also known as the
‘White Sand Plateau’ in the north-east and center of Guyana.
• The Hilly Sand Clay Belt occupies 13.7% of the country’s
surface which is equivalent to 28,995 square kilometers. It is
between is 150 to 250 kilometers wide.
FORESTED HIGHLAND REGION
• This Forested Highland Region borders the other three natural
regions–the Low Coastal Plain, the Hilly Sand and Clay area
and the Interior Savannah. It also borders Guyana’s three
continental neighbors –Venezuela to the northwest, Brazil to
the south-west, and Suriname to the east.
• It makes up about 73% of the country’s land mass with an area
of approximately 156,450 square kilometers.
INTERIOR SAVANNAH
• The Interior Savannah is situated in the South-West Region of
Guyana. It stretches from the foothills of the Pakaraima in the
north to Mamirpawain the south beyond Achawib.
• The Interior Savannahs account for about 8% of Guyana’s land
space which is equivalent to 16, 986 square kilometers.
THE LOW COASTAL
1. Location and Amount of Land Space
• The narrow strip of land along Guyana’s northern Atlantic coast is called the low Coastal plain.
• Land space: This area covers around 7.5% of the country’s land space.
DESCRIPTION OF LANDFORM
• 2. Landforms:
• Mudflats: Flat, muddy areas get covered when it is high tide.
FORMATION OF MUDFLATS
3. Formation
• 1. Mudflats Formation: Sediment Deposition: Mudflats, also known as tidal flats, develop in
intertidal zones. Sediments—fine particles of silt and mud—accumulate here due to tidal
action or river inflow.
• Tidal Influence: Twice daily, mudflats experience submersion and exposure as tides ebb and
flow. These areas support diverse wildlife, including birds, crabs, and worms.
HILLY SAND AND CLAY REGION
1. Location and amount of land space.
Description: Situated to the south of the coastal plain, this area extends into the interior.
Land space: It takes approximately 24% of Guyana.
DESCRIPTION OF LANDFORM
2. Landforms
• Sand Hills: Elevational Landforms made mostly from sandy soils.
• Clay Ridges: Highly hilly region formed mainly by clayey soils.
HILLY SAND AND CLAY REGION
• 3. Formation of Each Landform:
• Clay Ridges: Weathering and Transformation: Clay ridges arise from the weathering of other
silicate minerals. Hydrolysis reactions alter minerals like potassium feldspar, converting
them into soft clay minerals such as kaolin.
• Erosion and Sedimentation: These clay minerals, easily eroded, accumulate as sediments.
They often contribute to the composition of shales, which are fine-grained sedimentary
rocks.
HILLY SAND AND CLAY REGION
• 3. Formation of Each Landform:
• Sand Hills Formation:
• Ancient Origins: The Nebraska Sand Hills, covering 19,300 square miles, formed between
8,000 and 5,000 years ago. Wind played a pivotal role.
• Wind Sculpting: Fine quartz sand, carried by prevailing winds, accumulated into massive
dunes. These dunes, some reaching 400 feet in height, are now stabilized by resilient grasses.
FORESTED HIGHLAND REGION
• 1. Location and amount space
• Description: This area is In the middle and lower parts of Guyana, including places like
Pakaraima Mountains.
• Land Space: It takes up about 10% of Guyana’s land.
DESCRIPTION OF LANDFORM
2. Landforms
• Mountains: Tall places like the Pakaraima and Kanuka Mountain.
FORMATION OF MOUNTAINS POP UP
AND HIGHLAND FOREST SPROUTS
3. Formation
• 1. Mountains POP UP: Tectonic Forces: Mountains primarily result from the dynamic
movements of tectonic plates. When plates collide, they exert immense pressure, causing
the crust to buckle and fold. This process creates mountain ranges like the Himalayas,
where the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate.
• Volcanic Activity: Volcanic mountains form along plate boundaries due to magma
eruptions. Composite cones (stratovolcanoes) and shield volcanoes are common examples.
Stratovolcanoes have steep cones due to viscous lava, while shield volcanoes have gentler
slopes due to fluid basaltic lava.
FORESTED HIGHLAND REGION
• [Link] and amount of space
• Description: The central and southern parts of Guyana house this region. It spans areas like
the Pakraima Mountains.
• Land and space: About 10% of Guyana total land areas falls in this region.
DESCRIPTION OF LANDFORMS
• 2. Landforms
• Mountains: The Pakaraima and Kanuku Mountains Boast High elevations.
FORMATION OF EACH LANDFORM
• 3. Formation
• Mountain Formation: is intricately tied to the movements of tectonic plates within the
Earth’s crust. Large-scale plate collisions or subduction events lead to the buckling and
folding of crustal rocks, resulting in mountain ranges. Volcanic activity also plays a
significant role. Composite cones (stratovolcanoes) and shield volcanoes form due to
eruptions of magma. Over millions of years, erosion—driven by wind, water, and ice—
sculpts these majestic peaks, creating jagged ridges, deep canyons, and iconic formations. In
summary, tectonic forces lay the foundation, volcanic bursts add drama, and erosion acts as
nature’s chisel, shaping mountains into their awe-inspiring forms.
INTERIOR SAVANNAH
• [Link] and amount of space
• Description: Found for the most part in the southwest part of the country covering areas such
as the Rupununi Savannah.
• Land Space: Guyana’s Hinterland region encompasses approximately 35% of Guyana’s total
land area.
DESCRIPTION OF LANDFORM
• 2. Landforms
• 1. Wetlands: Seasonal wetlands that form during the rainy season.
FORMATION OF EACH LANDFORM
• 3. Formation
• Wetlands formation: those remarkable ecosystems that straddle land and water, form through
a blend of natural processes and human influence. Coastal wetlands emerge along coastlines
due to rising sea levels or sediment deposition, often protected by barrier islands or reefs.
River floodplains, shaped by erosion and sediment deposition, harbor riparian wetlands that
thrive during periodic river floods. Glacial remnants from thousands of years ago left
depressions that later filled with water, contributing to wetland formation. Additionally,
human activities—such as dam construction and irrigation—alter drainage patterns, leading
to incidental wetlands. These vital ecosystems provide habitat for wildlife, purify water, and
play a crucial role in flood control.
REFERENCES
• Taylor, K., TAYLOR, K., & GONSALVES, J. (2024, March 16). Geomorphological Regions in Guyana | PDF |
Coast | Shoal. Scribd. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from
[Link]
• Grade 5 Social Studies Weeks 9-12 Worksheets (Term 1)
[Link]
grade5-worksheets/grade-5-worksheets-social-studies/6682-grade-5-social-studies-weeks-9-12-works
heets-term-1/file
• The Name of the Natural Regions in Guyana Are the Low Coast Plain
[Link]
w-coast-plaindocx/
• About Guyana. N.d [Link]