Landforms of Guyana

Situated in the southern part of Guyana, the Acarai Mountains quietly shape the landscape with their wet, forested highlands. Contributing to the nation's biodiversity and natural beauty, these mountains, covered in lush rainforests, serve as a backdrop to Guyana's diverse terrain and are crucial in forming the Essequibo River, one of the nation's significant waterways.

The Essequibo River, a titan among South American rivers, gracefully meanders through the heart of Guyana, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's landscapes, biodiversity, and history. This majestic watercourse, the longest and most comprehensive in Guyana, is a testament to the country's natural splendor and cultural significance. Encompassing more than half of the country, the Essequibo's basin is a complex network of waterways, intricately woven by tributaries that further enrich the Essequibo's course.

Nestled in the heart of Guyana's Rupununi region, the Kanuku Mountains are a breathtaking natural wonder, boasting an unparalleled diversity of flora and fauna. This east-west mountain range, which divides the Rupununi from the north's wetlands and the south's savannas, is a true gem in the country's ecological tapestry. The Kanuku Mountains Protected Area is a sanctuary for countless rare and endangered species.

Kaieteur Falls in Guyana is the world's largest single-drop waterfall by the volume of water flowing over it. Kaieteur National Park, located in the southern Pakaraima Mountains in the Potaro-Siparuni Region of Guyana, covers a broad range of habitat types and is home to many species unique to the region.

Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pacaraima Mountains, a chain of tepui plateaus in South America. It serves as the tripoint of Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil. These tabletop mountains are considered to be the oldest geological formations on Earth.

The Rupununi is a natural region bordering the Brazilian Amazon in southwest Guyana. It is divided into northern Rupununi Wetlands and southern Rupununi Savanna by the Kanuku Mountains. The Rapununi River flows through the region before joining with the Essequibo River on its way to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Guiana Shield is one of the three cratons of the South American Plate. It is a 1.7 billion-year-old Precambrian geological formation in northeast South America that forms a portion of the northern coast. The higher elevations are known as the Guiana Highlands.