Agatash

Agatash is a village in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region of Guyana. It is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Bartica along the Essequibo River opposite Sloth Island.^[2]

Agatash
Village
Agatash Location in Guyana
Coordinates: 6.37709°N 58.61910°W / 6.37709; -58.61910
Country	Guyana
Region	Cuyuni-Mazaruni
Population  (2012)[1]
• Total	740
Climate	Af

Overview

The area used to be crown lands.^[2] In the early 1900s, the government of Demerara awarded 1,500 acres (610 ha) for a lime estate.^[3] Agatash is made of two Arawak words meaning water and land.^[2]

The economy is based on farming and mining. Agatash has a primary school and a health centre.^[2] The nearest hospital is in Bartica.^[4] Electricity is provided by solar panels donated by the Eerepami Regenwaldstiftung.^[5] The village depends on rainwater for drinking.^[2] In July 2021, the road to Bartica was paved.^[6]

Sloth Island

Sloth Island is an ecotourism resort located on an island in the Essequibo River.^[7] The island is opposite Agatash,^[2] and measures 160 acres (65 ha).^[8]

The island was uninhabited, contained pristine rainforests, and was home to many monkeys, sloths, and birds.^[7] In the early 1990s, five acres were developed into a tourist resort which was built by Amerindians from Agatash. The remainder has been designated nature reserve.^[8] The island can be accessed by a five minute boat ride from Bartica.^[7]