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. Since 2015, over 11 billion barrels of oil have been found off the country's coast. 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 bigger area that included places now known as 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 bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Suriname to the east, Brazil to the south and southwest, and Venezuela to the west. The land of Guyana lies between latitudes 1° and 9°N, and longitudes 56° and 62°W. It is one of the world's most sparsely populated countries.

The country can be divided into five natural regions. There is a narrow, fertile plain along the Atlantic coast where most people live. Further inland is a white sand belt with many minerals. The southern part has dense rain forests. The southwest has drier savannah areas, and the smallest region is made of interior lowlands with mountains rising toward the border with Brazil.

Some of Guyana's highest mountains are Mount Ayanganna, Monte Caburaí, and Mount Roraima, which is the highest mountain in Guyana. The four longest rivers are the Essequibo, the Courentyne River, the Berbice, and the Demerara. The climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, 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 located on the Guiana Shield, a region with incredible variety of 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 habitats, including coastal areas, mangroves, and different types of forests. In 1999, 14 areas were identified as important for protecting wildlife. Southern Guyana has some of the most untouched forests in South America, with many tall, evergreen trees and flooded forests along rivers.

The Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development was created 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 system. Here, the president serves as both head of state and head of government within a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the president and the government, while legislative power is shared between the president and the National Assembly of Guyana.

Historically, Guyana's politics has been tense, with violent riots sometimes breaking out during elections. The political landscape was once dominated by the People's National Congress during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1992, constitutional elections were overseen by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, and the People's Progressive Party led the country until 2015. The two main parties often organize along ethnic lines, leading to clashes over resource allocation. In the 2011 election, the People's Progressive Party retained a majority, and Donald Ramotar became president. In 2015, a coalition won the election, and David A. Granger became president. However, in 2018, a vote of confidence was called, leading to new elections in 2020. Mohamed Irfaan Ali then became the ninth president of Guyana.

Public procurement

Public procurement in Guyana is managed by the Public Procurement Commission, established in 2003. However, it wasn’t appointed until 2016 due to delays in identifying and agreeing on commission members.

Administrative divisions

Regions and Neighbourhood Councils

Guyana is divided into 10 regions, which are further split into 27 neighbourhood councils.

Natural regions

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

Essequibo conflict

Guyana and Venezuela have a long-standing dispute over the Essequibo region. Guyana took its case to the International Court of Justice in 2018, asking judges to confirm that a 1899 border decision is valid. Venezuela disagrees, arguing a 1966 agreement nullified that decision. In December 2023, Venezuela held a referendum asking voters to support creating a new state in the disputed area and granting citizenship to current and future residents. Venezuela does not recognize the UN's role in the dispute, but Vice President Delcy Rodríguez called the ruling a "victory for Venezuela." The case is expected to take years to resolve.

Foreign relations

Boundary disputes

Guyana has border disputes with Suriname and Venezuela. With Suriname, the dispute is over areas east of the Corentyne River and the New River. With Venezuela, the dispute is over land west of the Essequibo River. In 2007, the United Nations helped settle the maritime part of the Suriname dispute. In 1899, an arbitration award gave most of the disputed land to British Guiana, but Venezuela revived its claim in the 1960s. In 2023, Venezuela held a referendum to create a new state in the disputed area, which Guyana sees as a threat to its sovereignty. The U.S. and Brazil have shown support for Guyana in this dispute.

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, has contributed to the OAS's work regarding Indigenous peoples. The OAS has supported 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 prevent double taxation on various types of income.

FATCA

In 2014, Guyana signed an agreement with the United States related to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act to exchange tax information automatically.

Military

The Guyana Defence Force is the country's military. It works closely with Brazil on border security and partners with the United States Army to improve its readiness and capabilities.

LGBT rights

Same-sex relationships are currently against the law in Guyana, though the law is not enforced. Cross-dressing became legal in 2018 when a ban was overturned by Guyana's 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 several main activities, including farming rice and Demerara sugar, mining bauxite and gold, cutting timber, fishing, and getting minerals, crude oil, and natural gas. In 2015, Guyana produced 14 tonnes of gold.

The discovery of large oil reserves near the coast has greatly changed Guyana's economy since drilling began in 2019. The country's money grew quickly by 43% even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and it is expected to keep growing. While other parts of the economy faced challenges due to health rules, oil has been the main reason for this growth. By December 2024, Guyana was expected to be the third largest oil-producing country in the world for each person living there.

Guyana has 187 km of railway tracks used for moving minerals, 7,969 km of roads with 591 km paved, and 1,077 km of rivers that can be used for travel by boat. 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, nine with paved runways. 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 744,000 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. Even with these differences, most people speak English or Guyanese Creole.

The largest group is the Indo-Guyanese, also called East Indians, who make up about 44% of the population. They are descendants of workers from India. The next largest group is the Afro-Guyanese, descendants of people brought from Africa, making up about 30%. Mixed heritage people make up about 17%. The Indigenous peoples, known as Amerindians, make up about 11% of the population.

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 African, Indian, and Indigenous 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

In 2012, about 64% of people were Christian, 25% were Hindu, and 7% were Muslim. Some people also followed other faiths or had no religious affiliation.

Main article: Health in Guyana

Life expectancy in Guyana is about 69.5 years. The country faces health challenges, including a high rate of disease among teenagers and adults.

Main article: Education in Guyana

Education in Guyana was started by Christian groups. Primary school became required in 1876, but many children still helped with farming. In the 1960s, the government took control of schools, removed fees, 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. However, 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 much like that of the English-speaking Caribbean islands. It developed from the mix of British culture with the traditions of people who came to live there, including those from Africa and India. Many people in Guyana today come from these two groups, and their cultures blend together in ways of life, food, music, and celebrations.

Guyana shares many traditions with nearby 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 that live 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 even 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.