Page "Geography of Guyana" Paragraph 4

Guyana has no well-defined shoreline or sandy beaches.

Approaching the ocean, the land gradually loses elevation until it includes many areas of marsh and swamp.

Seaward from the vegetation line is a region of mud flats, shallow brown water, and sandbars.

Off New Amsterdam, these mud flats extend almost.

The sandbars and shallow water are a major impediment to shipping, and incoming vessels must partially unload their cargoes offshore in order to reach the docks at Georgetown and New Amsterdam.