Georgetown

Georgetown, city, Guyana

Georgetown, city (1985 est. pop. 75,000), capital and largest city of Guyana, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Demerara River. It was known as Stabroek when the Dutch controlled the region and was renamed Georgetown in 1812, after the British had occupied the colony during the Napoleonic Wars. The city has wide, tree-lined streets, many with canals reminiscent of the Dutch period. The tropical botanical gardens are among the finest in the world, and the markets operated by East Indians are transplants of Asian culture. Georgetown has a hot and humid climate partially relieved by year-round ocean winds. Below sea level at high tide, the city is protected by a mole. Sugar (the city shipped the prized Demerara sugar), timber, balata, bauxite, gold, and diamonds are brought to Georgetown by river and rail and are exported. Georgetown is the seat of the Caribbean Community's secretariat and the Univ. of Guyana; St. George's Cathedral is a fine example of Victorian wooden architecture.

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Georgetown, cities, United States

Georgetown.

1 Town (1990 pop. 11,414), Scott co., N central Ky., in the bluegrass country; settled 1776, inc. 1790. In a rich agricultural, dairying, and livestock area, Georgetown also has light manufacturing. A huge auto assembly plant is there.

2 City (1990 pop. 9,517), seat of Georgetown co., E S.C., on the Sampit River at its entrance into Winyah Bay, c.15 mi (24 km) from the ocean; inc. 1805. It is a historic port of entry and shipping center. Wire, lumber, and paper are produced, and there is textile printing. Tourism is also a significant industry. The city was founded c.1734 as a shipping point for the plentiful rice and indigo products garnered from nearby plantations. Deepwater facilities were later added to the port. The Church of Prince George dates from the 1740s.

3 Residential section (since 1895) of Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River near the confluence of Rock Creek; settled c.1665, inc. 1789. It was part of the land granted by Maryland in 1790 to the federal government for a national capital; in 1878 it became part of Washington, D.C. Its picturesque old houses and colonial atmosphere lend it charm. Georgetown Univ., with its renowned foreign service school, is there.

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Georgetown

 formerly (1784–1812) Stabroek

City (pop., 1999 est.: 275,000), capital of Guyana. The country's chief port, it lies on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Demerara River. It was founded by the British in 1781 and named after George III; it was largely rebuilt by the French by 1784. Known during the Dutch occupation as Stabroek, it was established as the seat of government of the combined colonies of Essequibo and Demerara in 1784. When the British regained control in 1812, the name was changed back to Georgetown. The modern city is the chief commercial and manufacturing centre of Guyana.

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Georgetown

1. the capital and chief port of Guyana, at the mouth of the Demerara River: became capital of the Dutch colonies of Essequibo and Demerara in 1784; seat of the University of Guyana. Pop.: 237 000 (2005 est.)

2. the capital of the Cayman Islands: a port on Grand Cayman Island. Pop.: 20 626 (1999)