Infos about Guyana

Guyana (properly pronounced [gaɪˈa.na]; occasionally Anglicised as [gaɪæ.nə] or [giˈɑ.nə]), officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is the only nation state of the Commonwealth of Nations on the mainland of South America. It is north of the equator but in the tropics and is located on the Atlantic Ocean. Guyana is bordered to the east by Suriname, to the south and southwest by Brazil and to the west by Venezuela. It is the third smallest country on the mainland of South America.

Guyana is an Amerindian word meaning "Land of many waters". The country can be characterized by its vast rain forests dissected by numerous rivers, creeks and waterfalls, notably Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River. Guyanas tepuis are famous for being the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyles 1912 novel The Lost World. The country enjoys a diverse, multicultural society, high floral and faunal biodiversity, prize-winning rum, and Demerara sugar. Guyana also is known internationally for being the site of the notorious Jonestown Massacre. In addition to English, other languages of Guyana include Creole, Hindustani, Akawaio, Wai-Wai, Arawak and Macushi. The majority of the population are of Asian Indian ancestry (called East Indians) with blacks (Afro-Guyanese) making up about a third of the population. A large part of the population is bi-racial and there is a small Amerindian population as well.

Guyana is currently in a border dispute with both Suriname, which claims the land east of the Corentyne River in southeastern Guyana, and Venezuela which claims the land west of the Essequibo River as part of Guyana Essequibo.