Guyana

Guyana

Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a developing country on the northern coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Suriname to the east, Brazil to the south and southwest, and Venezuela to the west. The capital and largest city is Georgetown.

With a land area of 214,969 km², Guyana is the third-smallest country in South America and one of the least densely populated countries on Earth. English is the official language, and many people also speak Guyanese Creole. Guyana is the only country in mainland South America where English is the official language.

The country has a wide variety of natural habitats and very high biodiversity, including part of the Amazon rainforest. Nine Indigenous tribes live in Guyana, each with their own traditions and languages.

In recent years, Guyana has experienced huge economic growth after the discovery of crude oil. This has made Guyana one of the world's fastest-growing economies and is expected to become a major oil producer in the coming years.

Etymology

The name "Guyana" comes from an old name for a larger area. This area included places now called British Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, part of Venezuela, and Amapá in Brazil. The word "Guyana" means "land of many waters" in an Indigenous Amerindian language.

History

Main article: History of Guyana

Guyana has been home to many Indigenous tribes for thousands of years. These tribes lived by hunting and farming. The first Europeans to see Guyana were from Spain, but the Dutch were the first to settle there.

Later, the British took control and in 1831, they joined all the Dutch settlements into one colony called British Guiana. Guyana became independent from the United Kingdom on 26 May 1966 and a republic on 23 February 1970.

Guyana has had some difficult times, especially with its neighbour Venezuela, which claims part of Guyanese land. There have also been changes in its government and leaders over the years. In recent years, important discoveries of oil have been made off the coast.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Guyana

Guyana is a country on the north coast of South America. It is next to the Atlantic Ocean, Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela. The land is between 1° and 9°N, and 56° and 62°W. It is one of the least crowded countries in the world.

The country has five natural areas. There is a narrow, fertile plain along the Atlantic coast where most people live. Farther inland is a white sand area with minerals. The south has thick rain forests. The southwest has drier savannah areas, and the smallest area is made of lowlands with mountains near Brazil.

Some of Guyana's highest mountains are Mount Ayanganna, Monte Caburaí, and Mount Roraima, the tallest mountain in Guyana. The four longest rivers are the Essequibo, the Courentyne River, the Berbice, and the Demerara. The weather is tropical and usually hot and wet, with two rainy seasons.

Biodiversity and conservation

See also: Fauna of Guyana, List of protected areas of Guyana, Category:Flora of Guyana, Category:Fauna of Guyana, and Category:Orchids of Guyana

Guyana is part of the Guiana Shield, a place with many different plants and animals. The country has more than 225 species of mammals, 900 species of birds, and over 6,500 species of plants. Famous animals include the arapaima, the world's largest scaled freshwater fish, and the giant anteater.

More than 80% of Guyana is covered by forests. The country has many different places to live, like coastal areas, mangroves, and forests. In 1999, 14 areas were chosen to help protect wildlife. Southern Guyana has some of the wildest forests in South America, with many tall trees and forests along rivers.

The Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development was made to protect the Iwokrama forest. Guyana and Norway have worked together to help protect the forests and support green development.

Government and politics

Politics

The politics of Guyana follows a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The president is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is used by the president and the government. The National Assembly of Guyana shares power with the president.

Public procurement

Public procurement in Guyana is managed by the Public Procurement Commission. It was created in 2003 but wasn’t fully set up until 2016.

Administrative divisions

Regions and Neighbourhood Councils

Guyana is divided into 10 regions. These regions are split into 27 neighbourhood councils.

Natural regions

Guyana has four natural regions: a low coastal plain, hilly sand and clay areas, a highland region, and interior savannahs.

Essequibo conflict

Guyana and Venezuela disagree about the Essequibo region. Guyana asked the International Court of Justice to confirm a 1899 border decision. Venezuela disagrees and held a vote in 2023 to support its claim. The case will take years to solve.

Foreign relations

Boundary disputes

Guyana has border disputes with Suriname and Venezuela. With Suriname, the dispute is over areas east of the Corentyne River. With Venezuela, it is over land west of the Essequibo River. The United Nations helped settle part of the Suriname dispute in 2007. In 1899, most of the land went to British Guiana, but Venezuela renewed its claim in the 1960s. In 2023, Venezuela held a vote to support its claim, which Guyana sees as a threat. The U.S. and Brazil support Guyana.

Organisation of American States (OAS)

Guyana joined the Organisation of American States in 1991.

Indigenous Leaders Summits of America (ILSA)

Guyana, with its many Indigenous groups, helps the OAS with work for Indigenous peoples. The OAS supports Indigenous Leaders Summits of the Americas.

Agreements which affect financial relationships

The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994

In 1994, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago signed a treaty to avoid double taxation on income.

FATCA

In 2014, Guyana agreed with the United States to share tax information under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

Military

The Guyana Defence Force is the country’s military. It works with Brazil on border security and with the United States Army to improve its abilities.

LGBT rights

Same-sex relationships are against the law in Guyana, but the law is not used. Cross-dressing became legal in 2018 when a ban was removed by the highest court.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Guyana

See also: Agriculture in Guyana and List of companies of Guyana

Guyana's economy is based on farming rice and Demerara sugar, mining bauxite and gold, cutting timber, fishing, and getting minerals, crude oil, and natural gas.

The discovery of large oil reserves near the coast has changed Guyana's economy since drilling began in 2019. The country's money grew quickly even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and it is expected to keep growing. Guyana has railways, roads, and rivers for travel. There are ports in Georgetown, Port Kaituma, and New Amsterdam. Two big airports serve international travelers (Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and Eugene F. Correia International Airport (formerly Ogle Airport); and about 90 smaller airfields. Guyana, Suriname, and the Falkland Islands are the only places in South America where people drive on the left side of the road.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Guyana and Guyanese people

Most of Guyana's people live along a narrow coastal strip, which is only about 10% of the country's land. This area stretches from 16 to 64 kilometers inland.

Guyana's people come from many different backgrounds, including India, Africa, Europe, China, and Indigenous peoples. Most people speak English or Guyanese Creole.

The largest group is the Indo-Guyanese, also called East Indians. They are descendants of workers from India. The next largest group is the Afro-Guyanese, descendants of people brought from Africa. Mixed heritage people make up another part of the population. The Indigenous peoples, known as Amerindians, are also part of Guyana.

Main article: List of cities and towns in Guyana

Main article: Languages of Guyana

English is the official language used in schools, government, and media. Most people speak Guyanese Creole, which is based on English but has influences from other languages.

Some Indigenous groups speak Cariban languages like Akawaio, Wai-Wai, and Macushi. Older members of the Indo-Guyanese community may speak Guyanese Hindustani, but younger people usually speak English or Creole.

Main article: Religion in Guyana

Many people in Guyana are Christian. Others are Hindu or Muslim. Some people follow other faiths or have no religious affiliation.

Main article: Health in Guyana

Life expectancy in Guyana is about 69.5 years. The country faces health challenges.

Main article: Education in Guyana

Education in Guyana was started by Christian groups. Primary school became required in 1876. In the 1960s, the government took control of schools and opened new schools in rural areas. The University of Guyana was created so students could study locally.

Students take exams to move to high school and later to continue their studies. Some schools, especially in remote areas, still face challenges with resources and teacher training.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Guyana

See also: Literature of Guyana and Music of Guyana

Guyana's culture is like that of the English-speaking Caribbean islands. It comes from British culture mixed with traditions of people from Africa and India. Many people in Guyana today are from these groups, and their cultures blend in food, music, and celebrations.

Guyana shares traditions with places like Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. Popular events include Mashramani, Phagwah (Holi), and Deepavali (Diwali).

Media

Main articles: National Communications Network, Guyana; Radio in Guyana; and List of newspapers in Guyana

Traditional Foods of Guyana

Guyanese food comes from the many cultures in the country. Popular dishes include pepperpot, a slow-cooked meat stew, and cook-up rice, a mix of rice, coconut milk, beans, and meats.

Landmarks

• St George's Anglican Cathedral: A beautiful wooden cathedral.
• Demerara Harbour Bridge: One of the longest floating bridges in the world.
• Berbice Bridge: Another very long floating bridge.
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Building: Home to an important group for the Caribbean.
• Providence Stadium: The biggest sports stadium in Guyana, built for a big cricket event.
• Arthur Chung Conference Centre: A special meeting place given to Guyana by China.
• Stabroek Market: A large old market near the river.
• Georgetown City Hall: A pretty old wooden building.
• Takutu River Bridge: A bridge connecting Guyana to Brazil.
• Umana Yana: A special thatched-roof hut built for important meetings.
• Shell Beach: A long beach with many shells and sea turtles.
• Parliament Building of Guyana: Where the government meets, located in Stabroek.

Sports

See also: Cricket in the West Indies

Cricket is a very popular sport in Guyana, and the country is part of the West Indies cricket team. Other sports people enjoy include basketball, football, and volleyball. Guyana hosted some cricket games during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Providence Stadium was built for this event.

Guyana also has teams in other sports like basketball and football, and there are places for horse racing and beach volleyball too.