LEARNING THE METRIC SYSTEM – USING THE UNITS OF LENGTH
Measurements using the units of length are conducted numerous times during our daily business activities. The sale of fabric, land, lumber, wires, and many other building materials requires measurements using length. When we conduct our local travel from one place to another using public or private transportation our distances covered are generally recorded in kilometres.

As efforts are continuously being made to implement the metric system in Guyana, the metre is the unit that should be used when measuring length, thicknesses or distances. A metre is a little longer than a yard. In fact, one metre is equal to 39 inches, three inches more than a yard.

Here are the units and their equivalents that are most commonly used for measuring length:

Millimetre (mm) – This unit is used for measuring the lengths of small objects,  for example: postage stamps and letter sizes, length of your fingernails, diameter of PVC pipes and fittings.

Centimetre (cm)   – This unit is used to measure intermediate lengths, such as the height of a person, width of fabric, window frames and vital statistics of the body.

Metre (m)          – This unit will replace the yard. So ask for metres when you purchase   fabric and curtain materials, vinolay, etc.

One  metre is equivalent to 39 inches.

Kilometre (km) – This unit is used for measuring longer distances, for example distances on the roadways. The distance from Georgetown to CBJ International Airport, Timehri is 40 kilometres; the length of the Demerara Habour Bridge is 1.9 kilometres.

One kilometre is a little more than half mile.

Hectare:              The hectare is a commonly used unit for measuring the area of a plot
of land. It replaces the acre, rod etc.

One Hectare is equivalent to 2.47 Acres.

In Guyana, our efforts to adopt the metric system have resulted in significant progress in the implementation of the metric units for length, particularly in the retail sector. However, this progress is impeded when consumers request measurements of commodities in imperial quantities. Consumers must understand that stores and other retail outlets have the necessary metre rules and tapes to accommodate requests for metric quantities and their goods would be provided accordingly.

Advertising agencies and media houses have a significant role to play in promoting the metric system by using kilometres instead of miles, hectares instead of acres, and metres and centimetres instead of yards, feet and inches.

CONSUMERS, REMEMBER TO BUY ALL LUMBER IN CUBIC METRES, AND CLOTH AND OTHER MATERIALS BY METRES.
For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066, 219-0065.