A Description of British Guiana, Geographical and Statistical
Exhibiting its Resources and Capabilities, Together with the Present and Future Condition and Prospects of the Colony

This 1840 work was the first detailed account of the colony of British Guiana, by a distinguished surveyor and traveller.

Robert Hermann Schomburgk (Author)

9781108024051, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

172 pages, 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.23 kg

Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk (1804–1865) was a German-born surveyor and traveller. In 1835–1839 he explored British Guiana for the Royal Geographical Society. In 1840 he was appointed to define its boundaries with Brazil, as Brazilian encroachments were wiping out native tribes. His report to the Colonial Office was published as A Description of British Guiana, Geographical and Statistical in 1840, and was the first detailed account of the colony. As well as surveying the land, and being the first European to reach the source of the Essequibo River, he discovered many new species of plants. His work on the boundaries led to the establishment of the 'Schomburgk Line' which was the basis for the definition of the borders with Brazil and Venezuela at the end of the century. He was knighted in 1845, and spent much of the rest of his life abroad as a British consul.

1. Geographical description
Physical aspect of the colony
Geology
Rivers
Climate
Vegetable productions
Animal kingdom
Statistics of British Guiana
Inhabitants
Religious and public instruction
Public income and expenditure
Staple products and commerce
Form of government, civil constitution, &c. of the colony
Towns and villages
Brief historical records of the present colony of British Guiana
2. Resources and capabilities of British Guiana
3. The present condition and future prospects of the colony.

Subject Areas: Regional & area planning [RP]