Guayana Esequiba

Guayana Esequiba is a territory administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. Historically it was included in Gran Colombia by Spain, but was included in Essequibo by the Dutch and later in British Guiana by the United Kingdom. Originally parts of what is now western Venezuela were included in the disputed area. The portion today under the administration of Guyana divides the area in six administrative regions (Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), while Venezuela treats it as a single entity (Guayana Esequiba or "Zona en Reclamación"). The area of the territory is 159,500 km². The territory is the subject of a long-running boundary dispute inherited from the colonial powers and complicated by the independence of Guyana in 1966. According to Venezuela the status of the territory is subject to the Treaty of Geneva (17 February 1966), which stipulates that both sides will agree to find a practical, peaceful and satisfactory solution to the dispute.