Guyana Guide and Resources

Location
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly smaller than Idaho

Geographic Coordinates
5 00 N, 59 00 W

Capital
Georgetown

Nationality
Guyanese (singular and plural)

Currency
Guyanese dollar (GYD)

Languages Spoken
English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

Population
698,209 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.01 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
-6.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic Groups
East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%

Religion Demographics
Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%

Geographic Areas
Total :: 214,970 sq km
Land :: 196,850 sq km
Water :: 18,120 sq km
Coastline :: 459 km

Bordered By
Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela

Argentina Climate
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)

Terrain
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Natural Resources
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Natural Hazards
flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Brief Geography Notes
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

Government
republic within the Commonwealth

Administrative Districts
10 regions