Capoey

Capoey was originally settled by Wapishana who named the village. The name translates to "Land of the Rising Moon". The tribe was wiped out by a plague. A group of Lokono Amerindians who were enslaved on a plantation on the Essequibo coast escaped from captivity, crossed the lake, and resettled the abandoned village.[1] In the early 20th century, a mission was founded by the Methodist Church.[2]

The economy of Capoey is based logging, subsistence farming, gold mining,[2] and tourism has become important.[5] The village has a primary school, village office,[2] and a health care clinic.[4] The village provides free transportation to the coast for secondary and trade education.[2] Electricity is provided by solar panels.[4]

Lake Capoey is one of the largest lakes in Essequibo. The lake is known for its large beige beaches, black water,[4] and benabs (palm thatched hut).[1] The lake is steadily growing in size.[4]

The lake is accessible via a side road of the Essequibo Coast Road. The village is located on the other side of the lake, and can only be accessed by boat. There is a tiny hamlet on the northern edge of the lake called Mary Point which is part of the Capoey reserve.[4]