History
The Caribbean Sea is a body of water located between the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It is bordered by Central America to the south and south-western area of the Caribbean, including Guyana. The Caribbean Sea has been a center of travel, trade and culture throughout history that still influences the identity and culture of many countries.
The Caribbean Sea is home to many different islands and countries. Guyana is one of the countries located in this region. It has a long maritime border that connects it to the Caribbean Sea, making it one of the few countries who can truly say that it is permanently connected to the Caribbean Sea.
Area Covered
The Caribbean Sea covers an area of approximately 2,754,000 km². It has two distinct areas-the Caribbean Sea, which is the deepest part, and the Caribbean Reefs, which are located in shallow, coastal waters. The latter area is rich in sea life, coral reefs, and shipwrecks, while the former is renowned for its unique combination of tropical sea life, cultures and historical maritime importance.
The Caribbean Sea is generally 30-60 meters deep, but in areas such as the Puerto Rico Trench in the northern part of the Caribbean, it can reach depths of 8,605 meters. Its shores are shared by over 30 countries or possessions, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Venezuela, and Guyana.
The part of the Caribbean Sea touching upon Guyana’s coastline is located in the north-eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, and covers the shoreline of Guyana from the Atlantic Ocean up to the Essequibo River.
Impact on Guyana
The Caribbean Sea has had a great impact on Guyana’s economic, cultural and political way of life, and there are many ways in which Guyana is connected to the sea.
The primary economic activities of Guyanese people depend on the resources of the Caribbean Sea. For example, the Guyana Fishing Authority provides fishing licenses and operates the fish markets, while fishing firms obtain exceptionally high quality seafood from the Caribbean Sea.
On the cultural side, the Caribbean Sea has enabled a great number of creole languages to develop over the centuries, which were formed by the fusion of African and European language dialects. The Guyanese creole language, Sranan, is an example of this.
The Caribbean Sea also provides an effective means of communication between Guyana and other Caribbean countries, especially by sea. It has allowed transportation of goods, services and people between the countries.
Enviromental Benefits
The Caribbean Sea provides a number of benefits for Guyana and the wider region. For example, it serves as a source of renewable energy, allowing the production of around 50% of Guyana’s electric power.
The Caribbean Sea is also an important natural resource for many marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, manatees and sea turtles, as well as a variety of endemic and migratory bird species. In addition, the Caribbean Sea is also home to three national parks in Guyana.
Furthermore, the Caribbean Sea is a major source for tourism in Guyana. The country enjoys its long coastline, sunshine and crystal clear waters, ideal for a variety of leisure activities including water sports, diving, boat tours and fishing trips.
Threats
Although the Caribbean Sea provides many benefits to the countries that border it, the sea is also facing a number of threats. These include illegal fishing, water pollution, coastal erosion and habitat destruction, with plastic waste being a major pollutant in the Caribbean Sea.
The region is also under threat due to climate change, with rising sea levels and changes to ocean conditions posing a threat to many marine species, as well as the human populations that rely on the Caribbean Sea.
Conclusion
To conclude, the Caribbean Sea reaches Guyana and has had a major impact on its culture, economy and environment. The Caribbean Sea provides many benefits to Guyana, such as renewable energy and resources, as well as being a popular destination for tourists. However, Guyana and other countries in the region face many threats, such as water pollution and the effects of climate change, which threaten the health of the ocean and the people it supports.
