[57], English is the official language of Guyana and is used for education, government, media, and services. A coalition of the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC) parties won 33 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly. [73], Guyana lacks a critical mass of expertise in many of the disciplines and activities on which it depends. [19] North of the Rupununi River lies the Rupununi savannah, south of which lie the Kanuku Mountains. The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, though moderated by northeast trade winds along the coast. Guyana's national football team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, however they qualified for the Caribbean Cup in 1991, finishing fourth, and 2007. In 2017, 41% of the population of Guyana lived below the poverty line.[11]. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labour, deficient infrastructure, and until recently, sizable external debt. On 11 May 2015, early general elections were held. In 1992, the first constitutional elections were overseen by former United States President Jimmy Carter, and the People's Progressive Party led the country until 2015. They are grouped into coastal and interior groups. This stems from a 2009 agreement between the nations for a total of $250 million for protecting and maintaining the natural habitat. 2. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}5°00′N 58°45′W / 5°N 58.75°W / 5; -58.75. It gained independence in 1966, and officially became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Guyana ranks third in the world with a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 9.58/10.[35]. The vast majority of the population speaks Guyanese Creole, an English-based creole with slight African, Indian, and Amerindian influence, as their native tongue. In 2008, the economy witnessed a 3% increase in growth amid the global economic crisis. Major private sector organisations include the Private Sector Commission (PSC)[40] and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI);[41], The government initiated a major overhaul of the tax code in early 2007. It had declined to 723,800 in 1991, and an estimated 720,700 in 1996. They are followed by the Afro-Guyanese, the descendants of slaves from Africa, who constitute 30.2%. In doing so Guyana created the world's largest Community-Owned Conservation Area.[36]. Venezuela did not agree with this as it claimed all lands west of the Essequibo River. Dr. Irfaan Mohamed Ali became the ninth President of Guyana. There are a total of 187 kilometres (116 mi) of railway, all dedicated to ore transport. Guyana has one of the largest unspoiled rainforests in South America, some parts of which are almost inaccessible by humans. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is the military service of Guyana. For international football purposes, Guyana is part of CONCACAF. The chief majority (about 90%) of Guyana's 773,000 population lives along a narrow coastal strip which ranges from a width of 16 to 64 kilometres (10 to 40 mi) inland and which makes up approximately only 10% of the nation's total land area.[51]. It is the only English-speaking country of South America. These forests are home to more than a thousand species of trees. Immigration has not been significant in Guyana since the late 19th century. The official and principal language is English, but a creole patois is spoken throughout the country. Shortly after independence, Venezuela began to take diplomatic, economic and military action against Guyana in order to enforce its territorial claim to the Guayana Esequiba. Guyana is the only South American nation in which English is the official language. There are 7,969 kilometres (4,952 mi) of highway, of which 591 kilometres (367 mi) are paved. During the 1970s and 1980s, the political landscape was dominated by the People's National Congress. Engaging in such acts can warrant life imprisonment, though it is not enforced. [80], Not to be confused with the French overseas region of, For the definition of city, town, etc see, The Organisation of American States (OAS), Indigenous Leaders Summits of America (ILSA), Agreements which affect financial relationships, The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994, Article Preamble, Section Preamble of the, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (, Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains, second-least populous sovereign state in South America, United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2020", "Guyana – Dictionary definition and pronunciation – Yahoo! News, Sports, Tourism, Businesses, History and Culture. However, the Guyanese economy has rebounded slightly and exhibited moderate economic growth since 1999, thanks to an expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favourable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organisations. [citation needed], President Bharrat Jagdeo had made debt relief a priority. Low prices for key mining and agricultural commodities, combined with troubles in the bauxite and sugar industries, had threatened the government's tenuous fiscal position and dimmed prospects for the future. Among other religions, Rastafarianism, Buddhism, and the Baha'i faith are the most popular. The three parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation which outlines a plan for sustainable use of the Konashen COCA's biological resources, identifies threats to the area's biodiversity, and helps develop projects to increase awareness of the COCA as well as generate the income necessary to maintain its protected status. A day prior, U.S. congressman Leo Ryan had visited and toured the settlement as part of an investigation. Thus far, the country has received $115 million of the total grant. The ruling concerning the Caribbean Sea north of both nations found both parties violated treaty obligations and declined to order any compensation to either party. The territory controlled by Guyana lies between latitudes 1° and 9°N, and longitudes 56° and 62°W, and is one of the world's most sparsely populated countries. More than 80% of Guyana is still covered by forests, those forest also contains the world's rarest orchids ranging from dry evergreen and seasonal forests to montane and lowland evergreen rain forests. [75] Among these wildlife categories the most notably famous are the Arapaima, which is the world's largest scaled freshwater fish, giant anteater, the largest anteater, giant otter, the world's largest and rarest river otter and lastly the most notably famous of birds, cock of the rock (Rupicola rupicola).[76]. It grew 5.4% in 2011 and 3.7% in 2012. "The "OAS has supported and participated in the organisation of Indigenous Leaders Summits of Americas (ILSA)"[47], The Draft American Declaration of the Rights of the Indigenous Persons appears to be a working document[48], At a CARICOM Meeting, representatives of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana respectively signed The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 on 19 August 1994.[49]. Additionally, about 95% of the world's Hindus live in India. While every possible ethnic mixture can be found in Guyana, mulattoes (people of mixed African and European ancestry) are the most common. Executive power is exercised by the President and the Government. T he mangrove-fringed coast of Guyana, ... then transforming into a Lakshmi-like vision in a red-and-gold sari for the Hindu nuptials. In 1974, the Guyana government leased 1,500 hectares (3,800 acres) of land to Peoples Temple, an American new religious movement, led by pastor Jim Jones. Homosexual acts, as well as anal and oral sex are illegal in Guyana. [43] The two largest groups, the Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese, have experienced some racial tension. Guyana has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Taiwan blames Chinese 'bullying' for Guyana revoking rep office. Like the South Asians, many Chinese and Portuguese people also entered Guyana originally as agricultural labourers, but they are now rarely found outside the towns. Since its independence in 1824, Venezuela has claimed the area of land to the west of the Essequibo River. However, on 21 December 2018, a vote of confidence was called for, regarding terms under which the government granted a franchise for offshore oil exploration. Since 2015, foreign companies have made several significant deep water oil discoveries. At the first international game of CWC 2007 at the stadium, Lasith Malinga of the Sri Lankan team took four wickets in four consecutive deliveries.[79]. ... who form a 1.6 percent minority of the country’s 207 million population, as per government figures. Afro-Guyanese (Guyanese of African descent) make up about three-tenths of the population. Some of Guyana's highest mountains are Mount Ayanganna (2,042 metres or 6,699 feet), Monte Caburaí (1,465 metres or 4,806 feet) and Mount Roraima (2,772 metres or 9,094 feet – the highest mountain in Guyana) on the Brazil-Guyana-Venezuela tripoint border, part of the Pakaraima range. In 1978, Guyana received worldwide attention when 909 people died in a mass murder/suicide in Jonestown by drinking cyanide-laced Flavor Aid. Emigration, on the other hand, has been a drain on the country’s human resources, as thousands leave annually, going mainly to the United States, Canada, England, and the Caribbean islands. About three-fourths of Guyana’s population is rural, with most Guyanese occupying villages in the coastal region. By replacing several taxes with one flat tax rate, it will also be easier for government auditors to spot embezzlement. Southern Guyana is host to some of the most pristine expanses of evergreen forests in the northern part of South America. The main economic activities in Guyana are agriculture (production of rice and Demerara sugar), bauxite and gold mining, deep water Crude oil, timber, shrimp fishing and minerals. Guyana is part of the Anglophone Caribbean. [citation needed], According to a 2002 nationwide census on religious affiliation, 57.4% of the population was Christian, 28.4% was Hindu, 7.2% was Muslim, 1.9% adhered to other religions, while 2.3% of the population did not profess any.[61]. 96% of the population lives on Trinidad while 4% live in Tobago. [16] The British territorial claim stemmed from Dutch involvement and colonization of the area also dating to the sixteenth century, which was ceded to the British. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. This represents an increase of 47.3% or annual growth of 3.5%. [23][24][25][26] The maritime[27][28] component of the territorial dispute with Suriname was arbitrated by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, and a ruling was announced on 21 September 2007. Other important towns include the interior bauxite-mining centre of Linden and the market centre of New Amsterdam, located on the mouth of the Berbice River. The name "Guyana" derives from Guiana, the original name for the region that formerly included Guyana (British Guiana), Suriname (Dutch Guiana), French Guiana, and parts of Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. Events include Mashramani (Mash), Phagwah (Holi), and Deepavali (Diwali). The distribution pattern in the 2002 census was similar to those of the 1980 and 1991 censuses, but the share of the two main groups has declined. Jagdeo was lauded by IDB President Moreno for his strong leadership and negotiating skills. Those of African descent increased slightly from 30.8% to 32.3% during the first period (1980 and 1991) before falling to 30.2% in the 2002 census. Approximately eight thousand species of plants occur in Guyana, half of which are found nowhere else. The rich natural history of British Guiana was described by early explorers Sir Walter Raleigh and Charles Waterton and later by naturalists Sir David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell. Guyana is home to six ecoregions: Guayanan Highlands moist forests, Guianan moist forests, Orinoco Delta swamp forests, Tepuis, Guianan savanna, and Guianan mangroves. The Courentyne river forms the border with Suriname. The Konashen COCA contains a high level of biological diversity and richness that remains in nearly pristine condition; such places have become rare on earth. [17] The US State Department and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), along with the British government, also played a strong role in influencing political control in Guyana during this time. These laws can be difficult to alter, as Guyana's Constitution protects laws inherited from the British Empire from constitutional review. Guyana (pronounced /ɡaɪˈɑːnə/ or /ɡaɪˈænə/),[8][9] officially the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana,[10] is a country on the northern mainland of South America and the capital city is Georgetown. Thanks to the very low human population density of the area, most of these forests are still intact. In February 2004, the Government of Guyana issued a title to more than 4,000 square kilometres (1×10^6 acres) of land in the Konashen Indigenous District declaring this land as the Konashen Community-Owned Conservation Area (COCA), to be managed by the Wai Wai. South Asians form the largest ethnic group in the country, representing about two-fifths of the population. There are two rainy seasons, the first from May to mid-August, the second from mid-November to mid-January. Historically dominated by the Lokono and Kalina tribes, Guyana was colonised by the Dutch before coming under British control in the late 18th century. The following habitats have been categorised for Guyana: coastal, marine, littoral, estuarine palustrine, mangrove, riverine, lacustrine, swamp, savanna, white sand forest, brown sand forest, montane, cloud forest, moist lowland and dry evergreen scrub forests (NBAP, 1999). Guyana is home to more than 900 species of birds; 225 species of mammals; 880 species of reptiles and more than 6,500 different species of plants. Each village’s farmlands extend inland, often for several miles, and are separated from neighbouring village lands by canals. Many businesses opposed VAT introduction because of the extra paperwork required; however, the Government has remained firm on the VAT. [59] In addition, the indigenous Cariban languages (Akawaio, Wai-Wai, and Macushi) are spoken by a small minority of Amerindians. Guyana is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southwest, Venezuela to the west, and Suriname to the east. The major sports in Guyana are cricket (Guyana is part of the West Indies as defined for international cricket purposes[77]), basketball, football, and volleyball. There are nine indigenous tribes residing in Guyana: the Wai Wai, Macushi, Patamona, Lokono, Kalina, Wapishana, Pemon, Akawaio and Warao. The rich natural history of Guyana was described by early explorers Sir Walter Raleigh and Charles Waterton and later by naturalists Sir David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell. The country can be divided into five natural regions; a narrow and fertile marshy plain along the Atlantic coast (low coastal plain) where most of the population lives; a white sand belt more inland (hilly sand and clay region), containing most of Guyana's mineral deposits; the dense rain forests (Forested Highland Region) in the southern part of the country; the drier savannah areas in the south-west; and the smallest interior lowlands (interior savannah) consisting mostly of mountains that gradually rise to the Brazilian border. Since 1970, traditional Indian lands near the international borders have come under government control, although Indians continue to hold village lands informally throughout Guyana’s interior. [66] President David A. Granger (2015–2020) expressed support for these efforts.[67]. [50] [68], Several initiatives are in place to improve energy access in the hinterland. Among Hindus, Sanātanī (orthodox Hinduism) is the major sect, along with a notable minority of those who follow the Arya Samaj, and a smaller minority who follow the ISKCON, Sathya Sai Baba movement, Chinmaya Mission, or Kabir Panth. Legislative power is vested in both the President and the National Assembly of Guyana. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The governing coalition litigated this result for the entire 90 days allowed for new elections. Although Christopher Columbus was the first European to sight Guyana during his third voyage (in 1498), and Sir Walter Raleigh wrote an account in 1596, the Dutch were the first Europeans to establish colonies: Pomeroon (1581), Essequibo (1616), Berbice (1627), and Demerara (1752). Guyana played host to international cricket matches as part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC 2007). The number of Portuguese people (4.3% of the population in 1891) has been declining constantly over the decades. The A-level system, inherited from the British era, is offered only in a few schools. Education", "Ministry of Amerindian Affairs – Georgetown, Guyana", "South America 1744–1817 by Sanderson Beck", "Award regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela, decision of 3 October 1899", "Guyana ponders judicial action in border dispute with Venezuela", "Tribunal decision tentatively set for August", "Guyana to experience 'massive' oil exploration this year", Foreign affairs minister reiterates Guyana's territorial sovereignty, POINT OF CLARIFICATION: Guyana clears air on Suriname border talk, "official site of the Permanent Court of Arbitration", Ishmael, Odeen (1998, rev. Among Christians, most are Protestants (34.8%) or other Christian (20.8%), but there is also a minority of Roman Catholics (7.1%). Guyana's national basketball team has traditionally been one of the top contenders at the CaribeBasket, the top international basketball tournament for countries in the Caribbean. In 1831 the three separate colonies became a single British colony known as British Guiana. Guyana's culture is very similar to that of the English-speaking Caribbean, and has historically been tied to the English-speaking Caribbean as part of the British Empire when it became a possession in the nineteenth century. The production of balatá (natural latex) was once big business in Guyana. [46], The position of the OAS respecting indigenous persons developed over the years. The arbitration was concluded, settled and accepted into International law by both Venezuela and the U.K. Venezuela brought up again the settled claim, during the 1960s cold war period, and during Guyana's Independence period. The country is divided traditionally between the coast, where most of the population is concentrated, and the interior. Image source – CIA. The indigenous groups include the Arawaks, the Wai Wai, the Caribs, the Akawaio, the Arecuna, the Patamona, the Wapixana, the Macushi and the Warao. Indigenous peoples inhabited Guyana prior to European settlement, and their name for the land, guiana (“land of water”), gave the country its name. Guyana is endowed with renewable energy resources and is likely to benefit greatly from the energy transition. [30] Venezuela calls this region "Zona en Reclamación" (Reclamation Zone) and Venezuelan maps of the national territory routinely include it, drawing it in with dashed lines.[31]. With 1,168 vertebrate species and 814 bird species, it boasts one of the richest mammalian fauna assemblages of any comparably sized area in the world. For example, the American company Reynolds Metals and the British-Australian Rio Tinto's Rio Tinto Alcan subsidiary are heavily invested in Guyana's mineral industry; the Korean/Malaysian Barama Company has a large stake in the logging industry. Indo-Guyanese made up 51.9% of the total population in 1980, but by 1991 this had fallen to 48.6%, and then to 43.5% in the 2002 census. Present-day Guyana reflects its British and Dutch colonial past and its reactions to that past. [70] The PAHO/ WHO Global Health Report 2014 (using statistics of 2012) ranked the country as having the highest suicide rate in the world, with a mortality rate of 44.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. Uses of balatá included the making of cricket balls, the temporary filling of troublesome tooth cavities, and the crafting of figurines and other decorative items (particularly by the Macushi people of the Kanuku mountains). The new 15,000-seat Providence Stadium, also referred to as Guyana National Stadium, was built in time for the World Cup and was ready for the beginning of play on 28 March. The electricity sector in Guyana is dominated by Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the state-owned vertically integrated utility. According to IMF projections, economic growth is expected to be 53% in 2020 following the completion of the first off-shore oil project.[39]. Many of those Brazilians are garimpeiros (transient miners), and some have migrated illegally. In 1991, the population consisted of 49 percent Indians; 35 percent Africans; 7 percent mixed race peoples; and 6.8 percent Amerindians. Guyana is a founding member of the Caricom (Caribbean Community) economic bloc and also the home of the Bloc's Headquarters, the CARICOM Secretariat. The indigenous peoples of Guyana constitute about one-tenth of the population. The interior, despite scattered ranching and mining settlements, is largely home to Indians. Guyana (pronounced / É¡ aɪ ˈ ɑː n ə / or / É¡ aɪ ˈ æ n ə /), officially the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America and the capital city is Georgetown. There are also many volcanic escarpments and waterfalls, including Kaieteur Falls which is believed to be the largest single-drop waterfall in the world. Guyana - Guyana - People: South Asians form the largest ethnic group in the country, representing about two-fifths of the population. Similarly, the multiracial population increased by 37,788 persons, representing a 43.0% increase or annual growth rate of 3.2% from the base period of 1991 census. Guyana, country located in the northeastern corner of South America. The diversity of plants supports diverse animal life, recently documented by a biological survey organised by Conservation International. New elections were held on March 02, 2020 and results were declared on August 03, 2020, with the People's Progressive Party/Civic as the winner. The Konashen Indigenous District of Southern Guyana houses the headwaters of the Essequibo River, Guyana's principal water source, and drains the Kassikaityu, Kamoa, Sipu and Chodikar rivers. Interestingly, Guyana is also the only South American country where … [69], Life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 67.39 years for both males and females in 2012. In 1899 an international tribunal ruled the land belonged to Great Britain. Christianity is the dominant religion in Guyana.According to the 2012 census, approximately 63 percent of the population is Christian. The Konashen COCA forests are also home to countless species of insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates, many of which are still undiscovered or unnamed. Their ancestors arrived mostly as indentured labour from India to replace Africans in plantation work. Various forms of Protestant Christianity made inroads in the 20th century, mainly in Georgetown. This Model 1 agreement includes a reference to the Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Clause 3) which was signed on 22 July 1992 in Georgetown, Guyana intending to exchange Tax information on an automatic basis. Numerous other emigrants left Guyana in search of part-time work in Suriname, particularly in agriculture or in the construction and transportation industries. The two parties are principally organised along ethnic lines and as a result often clash on issues related to the allocation of resources. In addition to Nepal and Mauritius, India is one of three countries where Hindu is the dominant religion. There are ports at Georgetown, Port Kaituma, and New Amsterdam. They provided secret financial support and political campaign advice to Burnham's People's National Congress, to the detriment of the Jagan-led People's Progressive Party, which was mostly supported by Guyanese of East Indian background.