Linden is the second-largest city in Guyana, and capital of the Upper Demerara-Berbice region, located at 6°0′0″N, 58°17′60″W, altitude 48 metres (160 feet). It was declared a town in 1970, and includes the communities of MacKenzie and Wismar. It lies on the Demerara River and has a population of roughly 60,000. It is primarily a bauxite mining town, containing many mines 60-90 metres deep, with many other pits now in disuse.

Points of Interest

Linden is the largest urban centre without a university within the country, if one considers the University in Turkeyen in Greater Georgetown as outside Georgetown.

The mining company runs a colonial-era guest house, with other hotels including the Summit Hotel and Starbonnet Bonnet Hotet.

Schools in Linden include Mackenzie High School, established in 1946.

History

The three villages that made up Linden were previously known as Wismar-MacKenzie-Christianburg, but was renamed/unified in 1970 as a township under the name Linden by then President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, also known as Forbes Burnham, after himself.

Six years before the renaming the town was the site of the Wismar Massacre--which lasted from Sunday, May 24 to Tuesday, May 26, 1964--where nine residents of Indian descent were killed and others attacked by Afro-Guyanese mobs. (see source http://www.guyanaundersiege.com/History/wismar/wismar%20page.htm)

The massacre was a response to a mysterious event which occurred on July 6th, 1964. A large boat, known as the "Sun Chapman" was blown up by dynamite and thirty eight people of African descent died. The act was initially believed to have been revenge for the Wismar Massacre but this was never proven. (see source http://www.guyanaundersiege.com/History/wismar/Sunchapman.htm)

Linden websites

• Guymine.com - Guymine.com is Linden's premier website.
• Linden Fund - Charitable fund focusing on Linden

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