Guyana: Fast Facts

• Guyana is derived from an Amerindian word, "land of many waters"

• Official Name: Co-Operative Republic of Guyana

• In northeastern South America surrounded the Atlantic Ocean, Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela; between 1 degree and 9 degrees North Latitude and 57 degrees and 61 degrees West Longitude

• 214,970 square kilometres or 83,000 square miles - about the size of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)

• Capital city is Georgetown (pop. 250,000); located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Demerara River; elevation is nearly 2 meters (6ft.) below sea level, protected by a sea wall

• Member and largest country of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

• Geography: about 80% tropical rain forest with a coastal plain, inland mountains (to 2800m / 9200 ft.), and savannahs; four major rivers are the Essequibo (largest), Demerara, Berbice, and Corentyne; home to the world's highest single drop waterfall, Kaieteur Falls, at 226m (741 ft.)

• Often called the "Land of Six Peoples" for its indigenous Amerindian population, descendants of African slaves, Asian Indian, Chinese and Portuguese indentured labourers and European (British, Dutch and French) colonialists.

• Major ethnic groups are currently Asian Indian (about 50%), African (about 35%), Mixed Race, Amerindians, Chinese, Portuguese

• Population is about 700,000; roughly 90% living on the coast; residents are called Guyanese

• Official language is English (Caribbean); also several Guyanese Creole dialects (English-based) and many Amerindian languages

• Major religions are Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam

• Currency is the Guyana Dollar

• Major products are sugar, rice, bauxite, gold and diamonds; world-renowned rum producer

• Gained independence from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966

• National motto: "One People, One Nation, One Destiny"

• Free of the natural disasters of many of its neighbours; it lies just south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and has no volcanoes or other seismic activity like elsewhere in South America

• Often associated with the Europeans' legendary search for El Dorado - a man and city of gold many believed to be in the Guianas

For more information about Guyana... Government Information Agency