Leguan Island

Leguan Island is a small island situated in the delta of the Essequibo River on the coast of Guyana, South America. The island is shaped like a gull wing and is nine miles (14 km) long and convert|2|mi|km wide at its widest making it roughly twelve square miles in area.

Demographics

Leguan has an estimated population of 7,700 living in 37 demarcated villages. The population has declined fairly rapidly during the past decade as residents leave to settle in more urban parts of Guyana or migrate, often to the United States, Canada the United Kingdom or to various Caribbean islands. Leguan is primarily a rice farming and cattle rearing community. Other occupations on the island include government administration, teaching, health care and policing.

Leguan is of roughly 82% East Indian ancestry and 17% African ancestry. The remaining approximately 1% of the population are foreign born Chinese, Canadian, American and English most of whom are involved in community development work with religious or state organizations. A majority of Leguan residents are Hindu. The minority follow Islam, Christianity and Rastafarianism.

Infrastructure

The island is home to the regional government office for the Essequibo Islands. The regional office serves the other populated islands of the Essequibo River delta, Waakenaam Island and Hogg Island. Leguan has five elementary schools and one secondary school. The secondary school currently serves about 300 students in grades seven through eleven or forms one through five.

Leguan is served by the Guyana Department of Transport and Harbours with two daily round-trips to and from Parika with large steam vessels. Many Leguan residents travel to shop at the Thursday and Sunday open-air markets in Parika. Independent speed boat taxis also service the island regularly from the Parika stelling. Leguan only received electricity services from Guyana Power & Light company in 1997 and telephone services, both land-line and cellular, from Guyana Telephone & Telegraph in 1999. The island has three main paved roads, two running along the north and south coasts and a road that bisects the island connecting the coastal roads. The government of Guyana built a new stelling on the island in 2005.