Guyana is located in Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela.
Guyana has borders with Brazil for 1119km, Suriname for 600km and Venezuela for 743km.
Land in Guyana is mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south.
Guyanese land covers an area of 214970 square kilometers which is slightly smaller than Idaho
As for the Guyanese climate; tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January).
Guyanese (singular and plural) speak English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu.
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Georgetown Linden New Amsterdam Bartica Skeldon Rosignol Mahaica Village | Vreed en Hoop Fort Wellington Mahaicony Village Mabaruma Lethem |
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Jane JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001.
The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Growth slowed in 2003 and came back gradually in 2004, buoyed largely by increased export earnings; it slowed again in 2005. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have fallen sharply, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 might broaden the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector.
Guyanese natural resources include bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
Guyanese religion is Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%.
Natural hazards in Guyana include flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons.