Guyana

  

Co-operative Republic of Guyana गुयाना के सहकारी गणराज्य Guyaana ke sahakaaree ganaraajy (Guyanese Hindustani)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Duty to the Homeland"
Anthem: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
Capital and largest city	Georgetown 6°46′N 58°10′W
Official languages	English, Hindi
Recognised regional languages	10 indigenous languages Akawaio Macushi Waiwai Arawak (Lokono) Patamona Warrau Carib Wapishana Pemon (Arekuna) Mawayana
Vernacular language	Guyanese Creole
Other languages	6 languages Guyanese Hindustani Portuguese Dutch Spanish Chinese French
Ethnic groups (2012)	39.8% Indian 29.3% African 19.9% Multiracial 10.5% Indigenous 0.3% European 0.2% Chinese
Religion (2012)	62.7% Christianity 24.8% Hinduism 6.8% Islam 3.1% No religion 2.6% Others
Demonym(s)	Guyanese
Government	Unitary assembly-independent republic
• President	Madhur Begum
• Prime Minister	Inderjeet Rao
• Vice President	Christine Williams
• National Assembly Speaker	Shrivatsa Nibhanupudi
• Chief Justice	Ezekiel Phelps
Legislature	National Assembly
Establishment
• Dutch Guiana	1667–1814
• British Guiana	1814–1966
• Independence from the United Kingdom as Guyana	1 January 1966
• Republic	10 June 1966
• Statehood within the West Indies	23 November 1966
• Independence from the West Indies	TBD
Area
• Total	214,970 km2 (83,000 sq mi) (83rd)
• Water (%)	8.4
Population
• 2019 estimate	743,700 (164th)
• 2012 census	747,884
• Density	3.502/km2 (9.1/sq mi) (232nd)
GDP (PPP)	2022 estimate
• Total	$30.287 billion (142nd)
• Per capita	$38,258 (49th)
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	$13.543 billion (142rd)
• Per capita	$17,108 (59th)
Gini (2007)	44.6 medium
HDI (2019)	0.682 medium · 122nd
Currency	Guyanese dollar (GYD)
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+592
ISO 3166 code	GY
Internet TLD	.gy

Guyana (Guyanese Hindustani: गुयाना, Guyaana), officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern part of South America in the region known as The Guianas. The capital city and largest city is Georgetown. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southeast, the United People's Committees (Andes) to the west, and Suriname to the east. With 215,000 square kilometres (83,000 sq mi), Guyana is the third-smallest sovereign state by area in mainland South America after Suriname and Uruguay, and is the second-least populous sovereign state in South America after Suriname; it is also one of the least densely populated countries on Earth. Guyana is internationally renowned for its biodiversity and variety of environmental habitats.

Guyana is located on the Guiana Shield north of the Amazon River and east of the Orinoco River. The vast majority of Guyanese live in the northeastern part of Guyana and in the capital by the Atlantic Ocean. It is a unitary state divided into 10 regions. Guyana maintains control over the disrupted region of Guayana Esequiba, which its neighbor the Andes claims.

Historically, Guyana was the homeland of several indigenous Amerindian tribes. The contemporary indigenous groups in Guyana are the Akawaio, Lokono, Kalina, Patamona, Pemon, Macushi, Wai-wai, Wapishana, and the Warao. Prior to European colonization, the Lokono and Kalina tribes were the dominant peoples in Guyana. Following European contact and exploration, Guyana came under Dutch administration until the British took over in the late 18th century. Guyana was governed as a British colony until the 1950s. After Great War II and decolonisation, Guyana gained independence briefly as a republic. It later joined the Federation of the West Indies. It received an influx of refugees and migrants from people displaced during the Colombia War. During the Federation, Guyana clashed with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago over West Indian politics as the Federation's largest states. Following the dissolution of the West Indies, Guyana regained independence in 19XX. In 19XX, after a socialist government was elected, the Guyana Defence Force launched a military coup d'état and installed a military junta which lasted until 19XX. Following a decade of military rule, the military junta held free democratic elections, restoring a civilian government. After the country denationalised key industries including the petroleum industry, Guyana's economy rapidly liberalised. In 2008, it ascended as a member of the Conference of American States.

The country's developing economy is largely based on the abundance of natural resources, including oil, sugar, bauxite, rice, timber, and gold. Since the 1990s, Guyana has diversified its economy with rising standards of living and large foreign direct investment. As of the 2020s, it is one of the fastest-growing economies in the Americas. It is a part of the CAS Common Market and is also a member of the Lincoln Area. Guyana is a member of several international organizations including the LN and the CAS.

Guyana is one of only two South American countries in which English is the official language (the other being Patagonia) and the only one in which Hindi is an official language. Although English and Hindi are the country's official languages, a plurality of Guyanese speak Guyanese Creole, an English-based creole language, as a first language. It is an ethnically and linguistically diverse nation. It has a plurality of Indo-Guyanese who are mainly descendants from Indian laborers brought to South America during British rule. The second largest ethnic group are Afro-Guyanese people who are primarily descendants of those brought to work in the region during the Atlantic slave trade. There is also a large number of mixed Guyanese, as well as the indigenous people of Guyana. Other notable minorities include European Guyanese (mostly of English descent) as well Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. Guyana is culturally and historically tied to the Caribbean and retains especially close ties to the former West Indian countries. Christianity is the most widely practiced religion, while the second-largest religion is Hinduism.

Etymology

The name "Guyana" derives from the term Guiana which was the original name used to refer to the region that comprises present-day Guyana, Suriname (Dutch Guiana), and French Guiana, as well as parts of the United People's Committees in Venezuela (Spanish Guiana) and in the Brazilian state of Amapá (Portuguese Guiana). The name "Guiana" has been attributed to an Amerindian language of indeterminate origin meaning "land of many waters". The name references the abundance of water within the region. In Guyana, it is home to numerous rivers which drain into the Atlantic Ocean or the Kaieteur Plateau. The largest river is the Essequibo River and there are numerous high-rising waterfalls including Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single drop by water volume, measuring 226 metres (741 feet).

Geography

Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single-drop waterfall

Guyana is located in the northern part of South America in a region known as the Guiana Shield. It comprises approximately 214,696 square kilometers (82,895 square miles) of territory. To the north, Guyana borders the North Atlantic Ocean; to the east it borders Suriname; to the south it borders Brazil; to the west it borders Brazil and the United People's Committees. Guyana is located between latitudes 1° and 9°N and longitudes 56° and 62°W. Guyana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.

Guyana is divided naturally into five regions: a low-lying coastal plain featuring fertile marshes where the majority of the population resides; a sandy and hilly region further inland; dense rainforests with various rivers and causeways; drier savannahs in the southwest; and interior lowlands that give way to high-sloped mountains. It is sometimes simplified to three geographical regions: the coastal plain, the white sand belt, and the interior highlands.

The Essequibo River

The coastal plains of Guyana largely consists of alluvial mud and sand deposits carried towards the sea from the Amazon River and returned from the opposing northern ocean currents. Without a well-defined shoreline, Guyana's coastal plains are largely claylike which results in very fertile soils ideal for farming. Large parts of the coastal plains flood during high tide, making it difficult to expand human settlement without damming and flood control infrastructure. The coastal plains are primarily marshy and swamp-like, with the areas closest to the sea consisting of mud flats, shallow ponds, and sandbars. The shallow waters and sandbars make it difficult for ships to navigate safely towards the shore, forcing incoming vessels to offload their cargoes partially prior to docking.

Mount Roraima, the tallest mountain in Guyana and tepui of the Pacaraima Mountains

Further inland are swamps which divide the coastal plains from the white sandy hills. The white sand belt ranges from 150 to 250 kilometers wide and consists of low sand dunes interspersed with rocky outcroppings. Vegetation which grow in this region are mainly hardwood trees. The soil is unsuitable for agriculture and areas where trees have been removed are prone to rapid erosion. The majority of Guyana's reserves of minerals such as bauxite and gold can be found in this region.

In the interior of Guyana are the interior highlands, which are the plateaus, flat-topped mountains, and savannahs which extend beyond the white sand belt towards the international borders. This region is thickly covered in vegetation and remains largely uninhabited and unexplored by humans. It includes: the Pacaraima Mountains in the western interior highlands; the Kaieteur Plateau in the southwest; the Kanuku Mountains; and the Acarai Mountains in the southernmost part of the country. In the southernmost section of Guyana are grasslands and savannahs, of which the largest is the Rupununi Savannah, which extends beyond into Brazil and the United People's Committees.

The Rupununi Savannah

Hydrologically, Guyana is water-rich with the majority of rivers terminating in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Several rivers to the western part of the country flow eastward into the Essequibo River however, which drains into the Kaieteur Plateau. Other major rivers include the Potaro River, the Demerara River, and the Berbice River. Due to the topographical features of Guyana, there are numerous waterfalls which make water travel across Guyana's rivers, especially into the interior, extremely difficult. Guyana is home to the world's largest free-drop waterfall: Kaieteur Falls. Other notable waterfalls include King Edward VII Falls, Kumerau Falls, and Oshi Falls.

Climate

Being situated near the equator, Guyana's climate is predominantly tropical and experiences little temperature variation year-round. The year is divided into alternating wet-dry seasons, with the wet seasons occurring in the months of December to early February and late April to mid-August. Guyana experiences high humidity most of the year due to northeast trade winds off the coast of Guyana. Guyana lies far south outside of the Caribbean hurricane zone and to date, has not experienced any hurricane or major tropical storm. Rainfall and precipitation is highest in the northwestern region of Guyana and comparatively lighter in the southern interior.

Flora and fauna

The jaguar is the national animal of Guyana

Guyana is one of the world's most biodiverse countries. It is home to over 900 species of birds, 225 species of mammals, 880 species of reptiles, and 6,500 species of plants. It has one of the richest mammalian fauna communities relative to its comparative size.

Large mammals which are native to Guyana include the jaguar (Panthera onca), the South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the bush dog (Speothos venaticus), the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), and the white-faced saki (Pithecia pithecia). Waterborne mammals include the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Notable species of reptiles and amphibians include various species from the subfamily of caimans (Caimaninae), the Rockstone poison dart frog (Dendrobates nubeculosus), the Keiteur Tepui treefrog (Tepuihyla talbergae), and the golden rocket frog (Anomaloglossus beebei). Guyana is also home to the world's largest freshwater scaled fish, the Arapaima. The hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is the national bird of Guyana and is endemic to Guyana's rainforests.

The generally undisturbed natural landscape of Guyana and its unique geographical features have allowed there to be an exceptional degree of endemism within Guyana. Guyana is home to some of the world's rarest orchids and is considered a biological hotspot for endemic species of floral plants. More than 80% of Guyana remains forested and largely free of human development.

Economy

Georgetown, Guyana is the economic centre of Guyana

Guyana's economy is mainly based on agriculture, fishing, mining, and tourism. Its economy is a developing, upper middle-income economy that has become increasingly diversified in the 21st century. As of 2022, it is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, bolstered by an increase in its domestic crude oil production. Historically, Guyana has been a net importer and benefactor in the Americas, receiving financial support from Brazil, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Commonwealth respectively. The Guyanese economy was historically under a state command economy but since the 1990s, its economy has become more liberalised and privatised. Key industries such as oil and rail were denationalised in the early 2000s, allowing foreign companies to enter the market and take over formerly state-owned corporations.

Guyana has benefited from entering the CAS Common Market Area, allowing it to tariff-free access to the larger North American markets within the CAS. Guyana's main exports are bauxite, gold, sugar, crude oil, rice, timber, textiles, and fish. Its largest crops in the agricultural sector aside from sugarcane and rice are: coconuts, eggplants, pineapples, peppers, bananas, oranges, and cassavas.

The official currency in Guyana is the Guyanese dollar (G$) which comes in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $500, $1000, $2000, and $5000 as banknotes and $1, $5, and $10 as minted coins. The Guyanese dollar is issued by the Bank of Guyana which works in coordination with the American Monetary Authority.

Demographics

More than 90 percent of Guyanese live along the narrow coastal strip of land in northeastern Guyana that is centered around the national capital of Georgetown. This area comprises approximately 10 percent of Guyana's total land area, making Guyana one of the world's sparest populated countries.

Ethnic groups and race

A celebration of Guyanese people reflecting the diversity of the country

Guyana is a heterogenous, multi-ethnic country. The largest ethnic group in Guyana is the Indo-Guyanese who are mainly the descendants of indentured labourers brought from the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan to Guyana by the British Empire. Of the Indo-Guyanese, the majority have ancestry from North India, specifically the regions of Bhojpur and Awadh from the Hindi Belt. A minority of Indo-Guyanese hail from South India. Indian immigration to Guyana began in the 1830s following the British Empire's decision to abolish slavery and emancipate the overwhelming black slave population. The first Indo-Guyanese arrived from Calcutta. Today, Indo-Guyanese constitute nearly 40 percent of the entire Guyanese population.

The second largest ethnic group in Guyana is the Afro-Guyanese who are primarily descendants of West African slaves brought to Guyana by force between the 17th and 19th centuries. The Afro-Guyanese slave population was subjected to harsh working conditions and mistreatment, which contributed to some of the highest mortality rates in the world. After the British Empire abolished slavery, the Afro-Guyanese population were emancipated and the Afro-Guyanese who remained in Guyana began to develop their own unique culture and customs. Compared to the Indo-Guyanese, the Afro-Guyanese were more assimilated and influenced by Western European culture, adopting English names and adopting Christianity as their religion. A significant amount of Afro-Guyanese have mixed ancestry, mainly with European descent although there is a significant number of Afro-Amerindian people as well.

The third largest ethnic group in Guyana are people of mixed ancestry, followed by the indigenous Amerindians who inhabit Guyana including the Akawaio, Arecuna, Caribs, the Lokono, the Macushi, the Patamona, Wai-wai, the Wapixana, and the Warao.

Other ethnic minorities include Euro-Guyanese (mainly of British, Dutch, or Portuguese descent) and Asian-Guyanese (mainly of Chinese or Japanese descent). More recent immigration have also come from other parts of the world including the Middle East (such as Lebanese and Syrian) and Eastern Europe (such as Russian and Pole). There is also a growing number of expatriates from fellow CAS member states such as the Kingdom of Sierra, Brazoria, and Superior.

Religion

St. George's Cathedral, Georgetown is a historic landmark and symbol of Anglicanism in Guyana

The Constitution of Guyana protects the freedom of religion and enshrines the notion of Guyana as a secular state through the legal principle of separation of church and state. Guyana is religiously diverse and religion plays an important role in Guyanese society.

The most widely practiced religion is Christianity, which was introduced to the country during European colonization. During the colonial period, Anglicanism was the predominant Christian denomination as it was the state religion of the British Empire. Following independence, Protestant missionaries from other churches began proselytise and evangelise in the country. The largest denominations in Guyana today are the Anglican Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. Similar to other South American countries, the Church in Rome remained the predominant version of the Catholic Church accepted following the Second Western Schism. Other major religious institutions include the Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, and Latter Day Saints.

The second largest religion in Guyana is Hinduism, which is mainly practiced amongst Indo-Guyanese. Due to pressure from Christian missionaries, Guyanese Hindus broke down caste differences and distinctions when Brahmins began to universally administer religious rites for all Hindus regardless of caste. It became a protected religion in the 1940s after reforms were passed to prevent legal discrimination against Hindus. Hinduism is the most widely practiced faith in the western region of Guyana.

The third largest religion in Guyana is Islam and is mainly practiced by Indo-Guyanese although there is a substantial community of Afro-Guyanese Muslims, as well as Arab Guyanese. Islam was historically brought over to Guyana by West African slaves but the faith was suppressed during the colonial period. Islam was reintroduced at large when Indian Muslim workers were brought to Guyana as indentured labourers.

Government and politics

The State House, Guyana's presidential residence

The Supreme Court of Guyana

Guyana's National Assembly building since 1834

Guyana is governed as a presidential representative democratic republic. The President of Guyana is both the head of state and head of government. Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly of Guyana, a unicameral legislature composed of 65 seats. The highest court of law is the Supreme Court of Guyana which has the power of constitutional and judicial review.

The government of Guyana is structured and governed under the Constitution of Guyana. The most recent version of the Constitution was adopted in 2004 which strengthened the powers of the presidency and made structural changes between the relationship of the civilian government and the military.

Elections

All major government posts, with the exceptions of justices in the Supreme Court, are directly elected by the people. Presidents are elected to serve five-year terms while members of the National Assembly of Guyana are elected to serve two-year terms. There are no statutory term limits.

Political parties

Guyana is a multiparty system with numerous political parties. Contemporary Guyanese politics has been dominated by three main coalitions: the Guyanese Alliance for Change (composed of the Democratic Alliance of Guyana and the Justice Party of Guyana), the People's Coalition for Progress (composed of the Reform and Progress Party of Guyana, the National Guyanese Party, and the Social Cooperation Party of Guyana), and the People's Revolutionary Congress (composed of the Communist Party of Guyana and the National Guyanese Working Congress). Partisan politics are roughly based on a combination of both ideology and ethnicity. Indo-Guyanese are the largest base of supporters for the Guyanese Alliance for Change while Afro-Guyanese form the majority of electoral share for the People's Revolutionary Congress. The People's Coalition for Progress is generally favored by ethnic minorities and people of mixed race.

Foreign relations

Guyana is a member of several international organizations including the League of Nations and the Caribbean Community. It is also a member of the Conference of American States and participates in both the Common Market Area and the Lincoln Area. Historically, Guyana has pursued a foreign policy of neutrality. During the Cold War, it balanced the interests of the capitalist bloc led by the Kingdom of Sierra and the Landonist world led by the United Commonwealth. Guyana moved towards regional integrationism with Caribbean states when its sovereign territory was under threat by Guyana's neighbor, the United People's Committees. Since the early 21st century, Guyana has pursued closer ties with the Western Anglo-American powers and joined the CAS in 2008. Within CAS, its closest partners include its South American neighbors, Suriname and Brazil. It also maintains close ties with its former colonial power, the United Kingdom.

Military

The Guyana Defence Force is divided into three branches: the Guyana National Army, the Guyana Air Force, and the Guyana Naval Force (which also includes the Coast Guard Division). The Guyana Defence Force's commander-in-chief is the President while the operational head of the military is the Chief of Defence Staff. The Guyana Defence Force is a component of the Combined Armed Forces of America and shares its military intelligence and facilities with fellow CAS member states. It is also a dialogue partner with the Northern Treaty Organization. Two Sierran Crown Armed Forces installations are present in Guyana: Naval Support Base Georgetown and Belladrum Air Base.

The Guyana Defence Force has historically played a significant role in Guyanese politics. It participated in a number of military coups and operated as a military junta during the Cold War. Since 2004, the political power of the military has been considerably neutralised as military officers must be nonpartisan and active duty or reservist military servicemen cannot hold public office.

Administrative divisions

Regions of Guyana by number and name

Guyana is divided into 10 regions:

No	Region	Flag	Area km2	Pop. (2012 Census)	Pop. Density per km2
1	Barima-Waini		20,339	26,941	1.32
2	Pomeroon-Supenaam		6,195	46,810	7.56
3	Essequibo Islands-West Demerara		3,755	107,416	28.61
4	Demerara-Mahaica		2,232	313,429	140.43
5	Mahaica-Berbice		4,190	49,723	11.87
6	East Berbice-Corentyne		36,234	109,431	3.02
7	Cuyuni-Mazaruni		47,213	20,280	0.43
8	Potaro-Siparuni		20,051	10,190	0.51
9	Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo		57,750	24,212	0.42
10	Upper Demerara-Berbice		17,040	39,452	2.32
	Total	214,999	747,884	3.48

Culture

Guyana shares cultural commonalities with the Caribbean. As a former British colony, it has been strongly influenced by British culture and is a part of the Anglophone world. It is generally included in definitions of Anglo-America as one of only two South American nations with English as an official language. Guyanese culture is multicultural and influenced by a number of ethnic groups including British, African, Indian, Amerindian, Portuguese, Chinese, Creole, and Dutch. The presence of Guyana's two largest ethnic groups: the Indo-Guyanese and the Afro-Guyanese, have resulted in a mixed and pluralistic society similar to its neighbors of Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Multiculturalism is one of the central tenets of the modern Guyanese state and Guyana's ethnic groups and minorities are protected under anti-discrimination laws. Each year on 23 February, Guyana celebrates Republic Day which commemorates the birth of the modern Guyanese state and the multicultural fabric of Guyanese society.

Guyanese music is heavily influenced by a mixture of African, Indian, and Latin styles of music. Similar to its Eastern Caribbean neighbors, Guyana's prevalent form of music is calypso. Raggae, chutney, and Soca music are also popular forms of music. Music and dance form a central role in Guyanese culture and is especially important during Guyana's various festivities and holiday celebrations.

Guyana is also home to a vibrant mosaic of visual art, theatre, and literature. Guyanese art is largely based on Amerindian themes and styles while Guyanese literature and threatre is influenced by British literature, owing from the legacy of colonialism.

Education

St. Stephen's Primary school students and St. Stanislaus College (Guyana) college students in Georgetown

Education in Guyana is overseen by the Ministry of Education and its public education system is largely modeled after the British model of education. Educational standards, policies, and curricula are set and maintained by the central government and implemented through the Ministry of Education. Guyana is divided into eleven educational districts, each corresponding with Guyana's ten regions and one for the nation's capital in Georgetown. The statutory age begins at the age of five years and students are required to attend until the age of 18. Students and parents have the option of either public schooling or private schooling (usually through denominational or parochial schools). The academic year throughout the nation begins in September and ends in July and students typically attend a six-hour school day (including lunch breaks and recesses).

The literacy rate in Guyana is among the highest in the region, sitting at 94%. The Guyanese government has invested heavily in ensuring Guyanese students score highly and competitively in international English and mathematics/science tests. It also sponsors an active foreign exchange program between Guyanese students and students in the CAS (particularly with fellow Caribbean member states).

Higher education is provided by both the government and private entities. The largest university in Guyana is the University of Guyana which has three campuses: Georgetown, Turkeyen (Demerara), and Tain (Berbice).

Science and technology

Science and technology in Guyana is limited despite government efforts and investment towards science education. A continuous issue confronting the Guyanese government is the brain drain of university-educated Guyanese leaving for other countries in the Lincoln Area. Limitations in national funding has led to a number of partnerships between Guyana and other countries. The University of Sierra has sponsored a Guyana-based project to train Guyanese scientists to develop and build research facilities in Guyana for the purposes of furthering medical and bioengineering studies in the area. Guyana is home to one of the world's largest undisturbed areas of wildlife and vegetation, which has been of special interest in biologists, botanists, agriculturalists, pathologists, and ecologists.

Since 2010, the Guyanese government has increased funding to improve telecommunications in Guyana by erecting cell towers and optic fiber technology to increase the number of Guyanese with reliable cell phone and internet services. It has cooperated with the CAS as well as other countries such as the United Commonwealth in improving its technological infrastructure.

Sport

The grounds of Providence Stadium, the largest cricket stadium in Guyana

The most popular sport in Guyana is cricket, which is a legacy of British colonialism. Guyana has hosted several international cricket matches, including championship events. Georgetown is home to the International Museum of Cricket which is dedicated to the history of cricket.

Other popular sports in Guyana include basketball, association football, and volleyball. Guyana has traditionally dominated basketball tournaments in the Caribbean and a number of Guyanese basketball players have been drafted into Anglo-American professional basketball teams. Minor sports include tennis, rugby, surfing, baseball, and horseback riding.

Guyana has made a number of unsuccessful bids to host the Olympic Games although it has hosted several regional tournament games and multi-sport events. The majority of its sport venues are located in or near the capital of Georgetown.

There are a number of internationally renowned golf courses at select Guyanese country clubs and resorts, most of which are catered towards foreign tourists.