Guyana

Country Profile:

Official Name: Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Geography:

Location: Guyana is situated in central north of the South American continent and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south, Suriname to the east and Venezuela to the west.

Area: 215,000 sq. km (83,000 sq.ml)

Terrain: Coastal plain, inland highlands, rain forest, savanna

Government:

Type: Republic within the Commonwealth

Independence: May 26, 1966

Republic: February 23, 1970

People:

Nationality: Guyanese

Population: 748,000 (2012 census)

Ethnic groups: East Indian origin 49%, African origin 32%, mixed 12%, Amerindian 6%, White and Chinese 1%.
Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%.

Capital City: Georgetown (pop, 250,000)

Other main Cities: Linden (29,000) and New Amsterdam (18,000)

Languages: English, Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (primarily Carib and Arawak).
Literacy: 96.5% of adults who have attended school.

Government:

Type: Republic within the Commonwealth

Independence: May 26, 1966

Republic: February 23, 1970

Natural resources: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, oil, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish.

Agriculture products: Sugar, rice, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimp, fruits, vegetables.

Industries: Bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining, oil.

Exports – commodities: sugar, gold, bauxite, oil, alumina, rice, fish, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber

Export – partners: USA, Canada, UK, CARICOM, China

Imports – commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, petroleum, food

Imports – partners: USA 24.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 24.1%, China 10.8%, Suriname 9.5% (2015)

Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)