Guyana

Guyana (formerly known as British Guiana) achieved independence from the UK in 1966 and became a republic in 1970.
In 1989 Guyana launched an Economic Recovery Program, which marked a dramatic reversal from a state-controlled, socialist economy towards a more open, free market system. Results through the first decade have proven encouraging.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela

related countries: United Kingdom

Official Name:
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
short form: Guyana
former: British Guiana

ISO Country Code: gy

Time:
Local Time = UTC -4h

Country Calling Code: +592

Capital City: Georgetown (pop. 250 000)

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

Government:
Type: Republic within the Commonwealth.
Independence: 26 May 1966;
Republic, 23 February 1970.
Constitution: 1980

Geography:
Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Area: 215 000 sq. km. (83 000 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Coastal plain, inland highlands, rain forest, savanna.

Climate: Equatorial tropical.

People:
Nationality: Guyanese (sing. and pl.).
Population: 700 000.
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%.
Languages: English, Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (primarily Carib and Arawak).
Literacy: 96.5% of adults who have attended school.

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

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

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

Exports partners: Canada 22.8%, USA 19%, UK 12.1%, Portugal 8.2%, Jamaica 6.6%, Belgium 6.3% (2004)

Imports partners: USA 26.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 21.6%, UK 6.4%, Cuba 5.9%, China 4.7% (2004)

Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)