Berbice'

Berbice', the eastern division of British Guiana (q.v.), bounded on the E. by the Corentyn and Dutch Guiana. Area about 21,000 sq. m. Once a separate colony, Berbice was united with Essequibo and Demerara under one government in 1831. The chief product is sugar, with rum, molasses, timber, cocoa, and tropical fruits. The forests abound with splendid timber-trees, including the mora and bullet-tree. The Berbice River is navigable for small vessels 175 miles from its mouth. An important affluent is the Canje. New Amsterdam, on the right bank of the Berbice River (pop. 9000), is the chief town and port of the district. See GUIANA.