Jonestown was a tract of 3,852 acres leased to Peoples Temple by the Government of Guyana for 25 years. It was located in the western part of the country in the Orinoco River Basin, near a disputed border with Venezuela. The lease required Peoples Temple to “cultivate and beneficially occupy” at least one-fifth of the area within the first two years, starting in 1974. Temple members worked hard to clear dense jungle, to build a community, and to create an agricultural project which grew pineapple, cassava, eddoes, and other tropical fruits and vegetables. The group also raised livestock for consumption. To see approximately where Jonestown was located, please look at the Map of Guyana. Jonestown was about six miles from Port Kaituma.
Last modified on December 23rd, 2014.