The bauxite processing infrastructure is Linden's most distinctive visual element — the reddish laterite of the exposed earth, the industrial structures on the hillsides, and the loading facilities on the river have defined the town's character for a century. The industry has declined significantly since nationalisation in 1971, and many of the larger facilities are idle, but the physical evidence of what was once one of the world's significant bauxite operations is visible throughout the town.
The Mackenzie district on the west bank of the Demerara is the historic core of the mining operation, while Wismar on the east bank is the older town. The road bridge connecting them provides the best overall view of both the river and the industrial landscape. If you are interested in industrial heritage or in how a resource extraction economy shapes a place, Linden has a particular documentary interest.