🇬🇾 Guyana: Country Profile

📌 Introduction

Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America, is known for its vast rainforests, diverse culture, and rich biodiversity. The name “Guyana” means “Land of Many Waters,” reflecting its abundant rivers and waterfalls.

🌍 General Overview

• Official Name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana
• Capital: Georgetown 🏙️
• Largest City: Georgetown
• Official Language: English 🇬🇧 (with Creole widely spoken)
• Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD) 💰
• Government: Presidential Republic 🏛️
• Area: 214,970 km² 🌍
• Population: ~800,000 (2025 est.) 👥
• Time Zone: UTC -4 ⏰

🗺️ Country-Specific Maps

Guyana shares borders with Venezuela, Brazil, and Suriname. The country is divided into 10 administrative regions, each with distinct geography and culture.

👥 Demography & Population

• Ethnic Groups:
  • Indo-Guyanese (40%) 🇮🇳
  • Afro-Guyanese (30%) 🌍
  • Mixed heritage (20%)
  • Indigenous Amerindians (10%) 🏕️
• Religions:
  • Christianity (63%) ✝️
  • Hinduism (25%) 🕉️
  • Islam (7%) ☪️
• Urban Population: About 30% live in cities, while the majority reside in rural and forested areas.

🏙️ Administrative Divisions

Guyana is divided into 10 regions, with some notable ones being:

• Demerara-Mahaica (Region 4) – Home to the capital, Georgetown
• Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region 3) – Known for its scenic rivers and islands
• Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7) – Contains dense rainforests and gold mining areas

💰 Economy & Industries

• Major Sectors: Oil & Gas 🛢️, Agriculture 🌾, Mining ⛏️, and Forestry 🌳
• Top Exports: Crude oil, gold, rice, sugar, shrimp, and timber
• GDP: ~$25 billion (2025 est.)
• Major Trade Partners: United States 🇺🇸, China 🇨🇳, Brazil 🇧🇷, Canada 🇨🇦, Caribbean nations 🇯🇲

🌄 Places of Interest & Tourism

• Kaieteur Falls: One of the world’s largest single-drop waterfalls 🌊
• Georgetown: Known as the “Garden City of the Caribbean” 🌿🏛️
• Shell Beach: A nesting ground for endangered sea turtles 🐢
• Rupununi Savannah: A vast, wildlife-rich region perfect for eco-tourism 🏕️
• Mount Roraima: A mystical flat-topped mountain shared with Venezuela & Brazil ⛰️

🚆 Transportation & Connectivity

• Major Airport: Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) ✈️
• Road & Rail: Road network is underdeveloped, with most travel dependent on rivers and small aircraft 🚗🚤
• Ports: Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Bartica 🚢

🌦️ Climate & Geography

• Climate: Tropical, hot, and humid with two rainy seasons 🌧️
• Seasons:
  • Rainy: May–August, November–January 🌧️
  • Dry: February–April, September–October ☀️
• Highest Point: Mount Roraima (2,810 m) ⛰️
• Natural Hazards: Flooding and coastal erosion 🌊

🏛️ History & Culture

• Ancient History: Originally inhabited by Amerindian tribes
• Colonial Rule: Colonized by the Dutch, later controlled by the British until independence in 1966
• Cultural Mix: Strong African, Indian, Indigenous, and European influences
• Festivals:
  • Mashramani – A national festival with parades and music 🎭
  • Diwali – Celebrated by the Hindu community 🪔
  • Phagwah (Holi) – Festival of colors 🎨
• Cuisine:
  • Pepperpot – A slow-cooked meat stew 🍲
  • Roti and Curry – Influenced by Indian flavors 🍛
  • Metemgee – A hearty dish with fish, dumplings, and coconut milk 🥥

📊 Quick Facts & Trivia

• Guyana is the only South American country where English is the official language. 🇬🇧
• Kaieteur Falls is five times higher than Niagara Falls. 🌊
• The country has one of the world’s largest untouched rainforests. 🌳
• Guyana’s economy is booming due to massive offshore oil discoveries. 🛢️