See Also

Guyana

Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America South America

South America is a continent [i] situated in the western hemisphere [i] and, mostly, ... 

, just north of the Equator Equator

The equator is an imaginary circle [i] drawn around a planet [i] at a distance halfway between the pole [i] ... 

. Guyana is bordered to the east by Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

, to the south and southwest by Brazil Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

 and to the west by Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

. It is the third smallest country in South America and approximately the size of Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

. Guyana is the only South American country whose official language is English, and is one of only two remaining countries in the mainland Americas to drive on the left Driving on the left or right

In organized traffic [i], vehicles going in opposite directions are separated to a side of the road so ... 

. The official name of Guyana is the Republic of Guyana. Guyana is an Amerindian Indigenous peoples of the Americas

The term Indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas [i] before the European discovery of the Americas [i] ... 

 word meaning Land of Many Waters.

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Timeline

1814   Guyana transferred from Netherlands Netherlands

The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

 to Britain United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

; it is renamed "British Guiana British Guiana

British Guiana was the name of the British [i] colony on the northern coast of South America [i] ... 

".

1966   Guyana achieves independen

1978   Jonestown mass suicide Jonestown

Jonestown was the communal settlement made in northwestern Guyana [i] by the Peoples Temple [i], an American [i] ... 

: In Jonestown Jonestown

Jonestown was the communal settlement made in northwestern Guyana [i] by the Peoples Temple [i], an American [i] ... 

, Guyana, Jim Jones Jim Jones

James Warren "Jim" Jones was the American [i] founder of the Peoples Temple [i] cult. ... 

 leads his Peoples Temple Peoples Temple

The Peoples Temple, originally incorporated as the Wings Of Deliverance [i] in 1954 [i], was a religious ... 

 in a mass murder-suicide; 913 die, including 276 children.



Encyclopedia

Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America South America

South America is a continent [i] situated in the western hemisphere [i] and, mostly, ... 

, just north of the Equator Equator

The equator is an imaginary circle [i] drawn around a planet [i] at a distance halfway between the pole [i] ... 

. Guyana is bordered to the east by Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

, to the south and southwest by Brazil Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

 and to the west by Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

. It is the third smallest country in South America and approximately the size of Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

. Guyana is the only South American country whose official language is English, and is one of only two remaining countries in the mainland Americas to drive on the left Driving on the left or right

In organized traffic [i], vehicles going in opposite directions are separated to a side of the road so ... 

.

The official name of Guyana is the Republic of Guyana. Guyana is an Amerindian Indigenous peoples of the Americas

The term Indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas [i] before the European discovery of the Americas [i] ... 

 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 Kaieteur Falls

Kaieteur Falls is a waterfall [i] on the Potaro River [i] in central Guyana [i]. ... 

 on the Potaro River. At 741 feet high, Kaieteur Falls is the highest single drop waterfalls in the world. Guyana's tepui Tepui

The Tepuis are table-like mountains found only in the Guiana [i] highlands. ... 

s are famous for being the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL [i] was a Scottish [i] author most famous ... 

's 1912 novel The Lost World. The country enjoys a friendly, multicultural society, high floral and faunal biodiversity Biodiversity

Biodiversity or biological diversity is the diversity of life [i].... 

, prize-winning rum, British Colonial architecture and Demerara sugar.

Though physically part of South America, culturally Guyana is Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

 rather than Latin American and it is considered part of the West Indies Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

. Other languages of Guyana include Creolese, Hindi Hindi

Hindi , an Indo-European language [i] spoken mainly in northern [i] ... 

, Wai-Wai, Arawak and Macushi.

Guyana is currently in a border dispute Territorial dispute

A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more [[state]... 

 with Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

, which claims the land east of the Corentyne River in southeastern Guyana. Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

 claims the land west of the Essequibo River Essequibo River

The Essequibo River is the longest river [i] in Guyana [i], and the largest river between the Orinoco [i] ... 

 as part of Guayana Esequibo.

History


At the time the first Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

ans arrived in the area around 1500, Guyana was inhabited by Arawak and Carib Carib

Carib or Island Carib is the collective name of a people given to them who lived in the Lesser Antilles [i] ... 

 tribes of Amerindians. Although Guyana was first sighted by Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus Italian [i] Cristoforo Colombo; Spanish [i]: ... 

 during his third voyage, it was not settled by Europeans until the Dutch Netherlands

The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

 in 1616, who established three separate colonies; Essequibo , Berbice , and Demerara . The British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 assumed control in the late 18th century 18th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 18th century refers to the century [i] that las ... 

 and the Dutch formally ceded the area in 1814. The three became a single British colony known as British Guiana British Guiana

British Guiana was the name of the British [i] colony on the northern coast of South America [i] ... 

 in 1831.

Escaped slaves formed Maroon communities. The abolition of slavery Slavery

Slavery is the social and legal designation of specific person [i]s as property [i] or chattel, for the ... 

 in 1834 led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured laborers from Madeira Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese [i] archipelago [i] in the north Atlantic Ocean [i] that lies between ... 

  , Germany Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country [i] in central Europe [i]. ... 

 , Ireland Ireland

Ireland is the third largest [i] island [i] in Europe [i]. ... 

 , Scotland Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 

 , Malta Malta

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation [i] consis ... 

 , China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 and India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

  to work on the sugar plantations. In 1889 Venezuela claimed the land up to the Essequibo. Ten years later an international tribunal ruled the land belonged to British Guiana; however, the dispute continues

Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 and became a republic Republic

In a broad definition, a republic is a state [i] or country [i] that is led by people whose political power [i] ... 

 in 1970, remaining a member of the Commonwealth Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association [i] of ... 

. The CIA Central Intelligence Agency

The Central Intelligence Agency is an intelligence agency [i] of the United States Government [i]. ... 

 and United States State Department United States Department of State

The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet [i] ... 

 along with the British government played a strong covert role in influencing who would politically control Guyana during this time.

Geography



Guyana can be divided into five natural regions: a narrow and fertile marshy plain along the Atlantic Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 coast where most of the population lives, then a white sand belt more inland, containing most of Guyana's mineral deposits, the dense rainforest Rainforest

A rainforest, or a wet forest, is a forest [i]ed biome [i] with high annual rain [i]fall. ... 

s across the middle of the country, the grassy flat savannah in the south and finally the larger interior highlands consisting mostly of mountains that gradually rise to the Brazilian border. Guyana's main mountains are contained here, including Mount Ayanganna  and on Mount Roraima Monte Roraima

Monte Roraima is the highest of the tabletop mountains shared between Venezuela [i], Guyana [i] and the ... 

  on the Brazil Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

-Guyana-Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

 tripoint, part of the Pakaraima range. Roraima is said to be have been the inspiration for The Lost World. There are also many steep escarpments and waterfalls, including the famous Kaieteur Falls Kaieteur Falls

Kaieteur Falls is a waterfall [i] on the Potaro River [i] in central Guyana [i]. ... 

. Between the Rupununi River and the border with Brazil lies the Rupununi savannah, south of which lie the Kanuku Mountains.

There are many rivers in the country, the three main ones being the Essequibo Essequibo River

The Essequibo River is the longest river [i] in Guyana [i], and the largest river between the Orinoco [i] ... 

, the Demerara, and the Berbice. There is also the Corentyne along the border with Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

. At the mouth of the Essequibo are several large islands. The 90 mile Mile

[i], usually used to measure [[distance]... 

  Shell Beach along the north-west coast of Guyana is a major breeding area for turtle Turtle

Turtles are reptile [i]s of the order Testudines , most of whose body is shielded by a special bony [i] ... 

s and other wildlife.

The local climate Climate

The climate is commonly considered to be the weather [i] averaged over a long period of time, typically ... 

 is tropical and generally hot and humid, though moderated by northeast trade winds along the coast. There are two rainy seasons, the first from May to mid-August, the second from mid-November to mid-January.

Demographics


Guyana's population of 751,223 is diverse: the three largest groups are the India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

ns or Indo-Guyanese  who have remained predominantly rural, the Africa Africa

Africa is one of the greatest sized continents of the Earth.... 

ns or Afro-Guyanese  who constitute the majority urban population, and those of mixed origin . The Amerindian Indigenous peoples of the Americas

The term Indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas [i] before the European discovery of the Americas [i] ... 

s who live in the country's interior, are divided into a number of different groups, the main ones being the Akawaio, Arawak, Carib Carib

Carib or Island Carib is the collective name of a people given to them who lived in the Lesser Antilles [i] ... 

, Macushi, Makuxi, Pemon and Wapishana. Several smaller groups, including Chinese, "Whites" and others make up less than 1% of the population. The overwhelming majority of the population - around 90% - live along the coastal strip, where population density is more than 298 persons per square mile . There is much racial tension between the Indian and African communities, and the two main parties are largely mono-racial. The trend over time is for the Amerindian and mixed-race proportion to grow, mainly at the expense of the Indo-Guyanese proportion, while the black percentage remains roughly stable. In 1980, Guyana had an absolute majority of Indo-Guyanese, but now no group forms a majority.

Religion Religion

Religion is a system of social coherence based on a common group of belief [i]s or attitudes concerning ... 

 in Guyana runs mainly along racial lines. Christianity Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic [i] religion [i] centered on Jesus of Nazareth [i] ... 

, practiced mainly by Afro-Guyanese and mixed-origin citizens, makes up about 50% of Guyana and it is Guyana's largest religion. Hinduism Hinduism

[i]
... 

, primarily practiced by Indo-Guyanese, is the faith of 35% of the population, and Islam Islam

Islam is a monotheistic [i] religion [i] based upon the Qur'an [i], which adherents believe w ... 

 is the faith of 10%. Guyana also has a Bahá'í Bahá'í Faith

The Bah' Faith is a religion founded by Bah'u'llh [i] in 19th century Persia [i]. ... 

 population at 5%.

Emigration Emigration

Emigration is the act and the phenomenon of leaving one's native country to settle [i] abroad. ... 

 has been a large and persistent problem in Guyana, with an estimated 500,000 Guyanese living abroad. Since independence, as many as 10,000 Guyanese have left and settled permanently in the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 alone per year and demand to emigrate remains very high. The number of legal immigrants to the U.S. is the highest in South America and the rate of illegal migration is believed to be high as well. Most legal immigrants are sponsored by family members in the United States, few immigrate based on job skills. Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

, the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 and English-speaking Caribbean islands are the other main countries people choose to emigrate to. At the same time, the birth rate has fallen sharply, and because of the emigration, can no longer sustain the country's population level. Many in the government worry that the country may become depopulated, but few concrete steps have been taken to stem the outflow. Results from the 2002 census, however, suggest that emigration in the last decade has decreased somewhat compared to the 1980s.

Emigration from Guyana to the United States

  • 1986–1990: 52,649
  • 1991–1995: 44,138
  • 1996–2000: 29,711
  • 2001–2005: 40,695


There are over 350,000 Guyanese in the US and Canada compared to 750,000 in Guyana.

Economy


The main economic activities in Guyana are agriculture Agriculture

Farming redirects here. For Farming in computer games, see Farmer [i].
... 

 , bauxite Bauxite

Bauxite is an aluminium [i] ore [i] which consists largely of the Al minerals gibbsite [i] Al3, boehmite [i] ... 

 mining, gold Gold

Gold is a highly sought-after precious metal [i] that for many centuries has been used as money [i], a store of value [i] ... 

 mining, timber, shrimp and minerals. The sugar industry, which accounts for 28% of all export earnings, is largely run by Guysuco which employs more people than any other industry. Many industries have a large foreign investment. The mineral industry, for example, is heavily invested in by the American company Reynolds Metals and the Canadian Alcan Alcan

company_name = Alcan Inc. |
... 

 and the Korean/Malaysian Barama Company has a large stake in the logging industry.

The Guyanese economy has exhibited moderate economic growth since 1999, based on an expansion in the agricultural Agriculture

Farming redirects here. For Farming in computer games, see Farmer [i].
... 

 and mining Mining

Mining is the extraction of valuable [i] mineral [i]s or other geological [i] materials f ... 

 sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. Low prices for key mining and agricultural commodities combined with troubles in the bauxite Bauxite

Bauxite is an aluminium [i] ore [i] which consists largely of the Al minerals gibbsite [i] Al3, boehmite [i] ... 

 and sugar Sugar

In general use, non-scientists take "sugar" to mean sucrose [i], also called "table sugar" or saccharose, a wh ... 

 industries threaten the government's already tenuous fiscal position and dim prospects for the future.



The production of balatá Balatá

Balat is a species of Manilkara [i] native to a large area of northern South America [i], Central America [i] ... 

 was once big business in Guyana. Most of the balata bleeding in Guyana took place in the foothills of the Kanuku Mountains in the Rupununi. Early exploitation also took place in the North West District, but most of the trees in the area were destroyed by illicit bleeding methods that involved cutting down the trees rather than making incisions in them.

Folk uses of balata included the making of homegrown cricket balls, temporarily filling of troublesome tooth cavities, and the crafting of figurines and other decorative items .

Major private sector organizations include the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry ; see a list of companies in Guyana.

Economic Summary - GDP/PPP : $2.899 billion; per capita $3,800. Real growth rate: 1.9%. Inflation: 4.5%. Unemployment: 9.1% . Arable land: 2%. Labor force: 418,000 ; agriculture n.a., industry n.a., services n.a. Agriculture: sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimp. Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining. Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish. Exports: $570.2 million : sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber. Imports: $650.1 million : manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food. Major trading partners: Canada, U.S., UK, Portugal, Belgium, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Cuba

Communications - Telephones: Main lines in use: 102,700 ; Mobile cellular: 219,000 . Radio broadcast stations:1 The government has refused to grant radio licenses to private operators . Television broadcast stations: 14 . Internet hosts : 642 . Internet users: 145,000 .

Transportation - Railways: total: 116 miles —all dedicated to ore transport—. Highways: total: 4,952 miles ; paved: 367 miles ; unpaved: 4,586 miles or 7,380 kilometres . Waterways: 669 miles ; note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 93 miles , 62 miles , and 50 miles respectively . Ports and harbors: Georgetown. Airports: 1 international airport , 1 upgraded regional airstrip at Ogle and numerous small airstrips along the coast and in interior locations . See Transport in Guyana Transport in Guyana

The transportation sector comprises the physical facilities, terminals, fleets and ancillary equipment o... 

.

Society


Culture


















Holidays
DateEnglish Name
January 1New Year's Day New Year's Day

New Year's Day is the first day of the year [i], in the Gregorian calendar [i]. ... 

February 23Mashramani-Republic Day
VariablePhagwah Holi

Holi or Phagwah, is an annual and popular Hindu [i] spring [i] festival. ... 

VariableEid-ul-Fitr
VariableGood Friday Good Friday

Good Friday is a holy day [i] celebrated by most Christians [i] on the Frid ... 

VariableEaster Monday Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday [i] and is celebrated as a holiday [i] in some larg ... 

May 1Labour Day Labour Day

A Labour Day is an annual [i] holiday [i] celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts ... 

May 5Indian Arrival Day
May 26Independence Day
First Monday in JulyCARICOM Day
August 1Emancipation Day
VariableDiwali Diwali

Diwali is a major Hindu [i], Jain [i], Sikh [i] and Buddhist [i] festival/celebration. ... 

December 25Christmas Christmas

Christmas is a holiday [i] on the Christian [i] calendar, celebrating the birth of Jesus [i]. ... 

December 26 or 27 DecemberBoxing Day


Guyana's culture is very similar to that of the English-speaking Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

. It is so similar that Guyana is included and accepted as a Caribbean Nation and is a member of the Caribbean Community Caricom Caribbean Community

The Caribbean Community and Common Market or CARICOM was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas [i] ... 

 economic bloc. Only its geographical location differentiates it from the rest of the English speaking Caribbean countries. Guyana shares similar interests with the islands in the West Indies Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

, such as food, festive events, music, sports, etc. Guyana plays international cricket as a part of the West Indies cricket team West Indian cricket team

The West Indian cricket team, also known colloquially as The Windies, is a national [[cricket]... 

, and the Guyana team plays first class cricket against other nations of the Caribbean. Further adding to its distinction as a member of the Caribbean community, Guyana is a member of CONCACAF CONCACAF

CONCACAF is the continent-wide governing body for association football [i] in North America [i], Central America [i] ... 

, the international football federation for North and Central America and the Caribbean. Another aspect of Guyanese culture is its rich folklore about Jumbees.

For Guyanese writers see Literature of Guyana.

Music & Entertainment in Guyana follows the lead of other Caribbean countries and India. Radio stations play the latest reggae Reggae

Reggae is a music genre [i] developed in Jamaica [i] in the late 1960s.
... 

, dancehall, soca Soca

The Soca or Isonzo is a 140 km long river [i] that flows through Western Slovenia [i] and North ... 

 and chutney music, as well as Bollywood Bollywood

Bollywood is the informal name given to the popular Mumbai [i]-based Hindi language [i] film industry [i] ... 

 influences of bhangra and other Hindi music Music of India

The music of India includes multiple varieties of folk [i], popular [i], pop [i] ... 

. Local television stations air American, British and Indian broadcasts. Night clubs in Georgetown belt out the latest music late into the night on weekends.

See: Music of Guyana

Cuisine and Recipes

For the main article, see

Cultural events in Guyana
  • Mashramani
  • Phagwah Holi

    Holi or Phagwah, is an annual and popular Hindu [i] spring [i] festival. ... 

  • Deepavali Diwali

    Diwali is a major Hindu [i], Jain [i], Sikh [i] and Buddhist [i] festival/celebration. ... 




The major religions in Guyana include Christianity, comprising 50% of the population, Hinduism at 35% and Islam with 10% of the population. The remaining 5% consist of Bahai, and indigenous religious beliefs.

Sport in Guyana
The major sports in Guyana are cricket Cricket

Cricket is a team sport [i] played between two teams of eleven players each.... 

 , softball cricket  and soccer Football

Football is the name given to a number of different, but related, team sport [i]s. ... 

. The minor sports in Guyana are netball Netball

Netball is a team sport similar to and derived from basketball [i], and was originally known as "women's... 

, rounders Rounders

Rounders is a sport [i] which originated in Great Britain [i] and Ireland [i]. ... 

, lawn tennis Tennis

Tennis is a game played between either two players or two teams of two players .... 

, basketball Basketball

Basketball is a sport [i] in which two teams of five players each try to score points on one another by ... 

, table tennis Table tennis

Table tennis is one of the most popular sports [i] in the world in terms of player numbers, as well as b ... 

, boxing Boxing

Boxing, also called Western Boxing, prizefighting or the sweet science , is a sport [i] ... 

, and a few others.

Languages
English , Amerindian languages , Guyanese Creole, Hindustani Hindustani language

Hindustani , also known as "Hindi-Urdu," is a term used by linguists to describe several closely r... 

 .

Politics

Politics of Guyana takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential Semi-presidential system

The semi-presidential system is a system of government in which a prime minister [i] and... 

 representative democratic republic Republic

In a broad definition, a republic is a state [i] or country [i] that is led by people whose political power [i] ... 

, whereby the President of Guyana is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power Legislature

A legislature is a type of representative deliberative assembly [i] with the power to adopt law [i]s. ... 

 is vested in both the government and the National Assembly of Guyana. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Guyana is divided into 10 administrative regions Regions of Guyana

||
|}
Guyana [i] is divided into 10 administrative regions:
... 

.

Education


Guyana's educational system, which at one time was considered to be among the best in the Caribbean, deteriorated in the 1980s due to the emigration of highly educated citizens and the lack of appropriate funding. Although the education system had displayed a remarkable recovery in the 1990s, it still does not produce the quality of educated students necessary for Guyana to modernize its workforce. The country lacks a critical mass of expertise in many of the disciplines and activities of which it depends.

The educational system does not sufficiently focus on the training of Guyanese in science and technology, technical and vocational subjects, business management, nor computer sciences. The Guyanes education system is modelled after the former British education system. Students are expected to write SSEE by the time they are 10-11, prior to commencing high school and GCE at the end of high school. The retention of the O and A level systems used from colonial times has remained in all school within the country. The reason for the insufficient focus or various disciplines can be directly attributed to the common choices made by students to specialize in areas that are similar

There are wide disparities among the geographical regions of the country in the availability of quality education and the physical facilities which are provided are in poor condition.

Further adding to the problems of the educational system, many of the better-educated professional teachers have emigrated to other countries over the past two decades, mainly due to low pay, lack of opportunities and crime. As a result, there is a dearth of trained teachers at every level of Guyana's educational system.

Public health


Delivery of services
The delivery of health services is provided at five different levels in the public sector:
  • Level I: Local Health Posts that provide preventive and simple curative care for common diseases and attempt to promote proper health practices. Community health workers staff them.
  • Level II: Health Centres that provide preventive and rehabilitative care and promotion activities. These are ideally staffed with a medical extension worker or public health nurse, along with a nursing assistant, a dental nurse and a midwife.
  • Level III: Nineteen District Hospitals that provide basic in-patient and outpatient care and selected diagnostic services. They are also meant to be equipped to provide simple radiological and laboratory services, and to be capable of gynecology, providing preventive and curative dental care. They are designed to serve geographical areas with populations of 10,000 or more.
  • Level IV: Four Regional Hospitals that provide emergency services, routine surgery and obstetrical and gynecological care, dental services, diagnostic services and specialist services in general medicine and pediatrics. They are designed to include the necessary support for this level of medical service in terms of laboratory and X-ray facilities, pharmacies and dietetic expertise. These hospitals are located in Regions 2, 3, 6 and 10.
  • Level V: The National Referral Hospital in Georgetown that provides a wider range of diagnostic and specialist services, on both an in-patient and out-patient basis; the Psychiatric Hospital in Canje; and the Geriatric Hospital in Georgetown. There is also one children’s rehabilitation centre.


This system is structured so that its proper functioning depends intimately on a process of referrals. Except for serious emergencies, patients are to be seen first at the lower levels, and those with problems that cannot be treated at those levels are referred to higher levels in the system. However, in practice, many patients by-pass the lower levels.

The health sector is currently unable to offer certain sophisticated tertiary services and specialised medical services, the technology for which is unaffordable in Guyana, or for which the required medical specialists simply do not exist. Even with substantial improvements in the health sector, the need for overseas treatment for some services might remain. The Ministry of Health provides financial assistance to patients requiring such treatment, priority being given to children whose condition can be rehabilitated with significant improvements to their quality of life.

In addition to the facilities mentioned above, there are 10 hospitals belonging to the private sector and to public corporations, plus diagnostic facilities, clinics and dispensaries in those sectors. These 10 hospitals together, provide for 548 beds.

18 clinics and dispensaries are owned by GUYSUCO.

The Ministry of Health and Labour is responsible for the funding of the National Referral Hospital in Georgetown, which has recently been made a public corporation managed by an independent Board. Region 6 is responsible for the management of the National Psychiatric Hospital. The Geriatric Hospital, previously administered by the Ministry of Labour, became the responsibility of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in December 1997.
Health conditions
One of the most unfortunate consequences of Guyana's economic decline in the 1970s and 1980s was that it led to very poor health conditions for a large part of the population. Basic health services in the interior are primitive to non-existent and some procedures are not available at all. The U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet warns "Medical care is available for minor medical conditions. Emergency care and hospitalization for major medical illnesses or surgery is limited, due to a lack of appropriately trained specialists, below standard in-hospital care, and poor sanitation. Ambulance service is substandard and may not routinely be available for emergencies." Many Guyanese seek medical care in the United States, Trinidad or Cuba.

Compared to other neighbouring countries, Guyana ranks poorly in regard to basic health indicators. In 1998, life expectancy at birth was estimated at 66.0 for Guyana, 71.6 for Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

, 72.9 for Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

; 73.8 for Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a country in the southern Caribbean Sea [i], situated 11 kilometre [i]... 

, 74.7 for Jamaica Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation [i] of the Greater Antilles [i], 240 kilometres in length and as much as 85 ... 

, and 76.5 for Barbados Barbados

Barbados is an independent island nation [i] located in the western Atlantic Ocean [i], just to the east ... 

. In Guyana, the infant mortality rate in 1998 was 24.2, in Barbados 14.9; in Trinidad and Tobago 16.2; in Venezuela 22; in Jamaica 24.5; and in Suriname 25.1.

Maternal mortality rates in Guyana are also relatively high, being estimate at 124.6 for 1998. Comparable figures for other Caribbean countries are 50 for Barbados, 75 for Trinidad and 100 for Jamaica.

It must be emphasized, however, that although Guyana's health profile still suffers in comparison with most of the Caribbean, there has been remarkable progress between 1988 and 1998

In Guyana the leading causes of mortality for children under the age of one are: certain conditions originating in the prenatal period ; intestinal infectious diseases ; congenital anomalies ; diseases of the respiratory system ; nutritional deficiencies 5.8%); bacterial diseases ; diseases of the blood and the blood-forming organs ; endocrine and metabolic disease immunity disorders ; accidents ; and diseases of the Nervous System .

The leading causes of mortality for all age groups are cerebrovascular diseases ; ischemic heart disease ; immunity disorders ; diseases of the respiratory system ; diseases of pulmonary circulation and other forms of heart disease ; endocrine and metabolic diseases ; diseases of other parts of the Digestive System ; violence ; certain condition originating in the prenatal period ; and hypertensive diseases .

The picture in regard to morbidity patterns differs. The ten leading causes of morbidity for all age groups are, in decreasing order: malaria; acute respiratory infections; symptoms, signs and ill defined or unknown conditions; hypertension; accident and injuries; acute diarrhoeal disease; diabetes mellitus; worm infestation; rheumatic arthritis; and mental and nervous disorders.

This morbidity profile indicates that it can be improved substantially through enhanced preventive health care, better education on health issues, more widespread access to potable water and sanitation services, and increased access to basic health care of good quality.

Biodiversity

Guyana abounds with plant and animal life. Each region boasts unique species.

The following habitats have been categorised for Guyana: coastal, marine, littoral, estuarine palustrine, mangrove, riverine, lacustrine, swamp, savannah, white sand forest, brown sand forest, montane, cloud forest, moist lowland and dry evergreen scrub forests . About 14 areas of biological interest have been identified as possible hotspots for a National Protected Area System.

More than 80% of Guyana is still covered by forests, ranging from dry evergreen and seasonal forests to montane and lowland evergreen rain forests. These forests are home to more than 1,000 tree species. Guyana’s tropical climate, unique geology, and relatively pristine ecosystems support extensive areas of species-rich rain forests and natural habitats with high levels of endemism. Approximately 8,000 species of plants occur in Guyana, half of which are found nowhere else.

Numbers of fauna species are correspondingly high. Guyana, with 1,168 vertebrates, boasts one of the richest mammalian fauna assemblages of any comparably sized area in the world.

The Guiana Shield Guiana

Guiana forms a portion of the northern coast of South America [i]. ... 

 region is little known and extremely rich biologically. Unlike other areas of South America, over 70% of the natural habitat remains pristine.

The rich natural history of British Guiana was described by early explorers Sir Walter Raleigh Walter Raleigh

Sir [i] Walter Raleigh is a famed English [i] writer [i], poet [i], courtier [i] and ... 

 and Charles Waterton and later by naturalists David Attenborough David Attenborough

Sir David Frederick Attenborough, OM [i], CH [i], CVO [i] ... 

 and Gerald Durrell Gerald Durrell

Gerald Malcolm Durrell was a naturalist [i], zookeeper [i], conservationist [i], author [i]... 

.

See ,

Ecology and World Heritage Site status

Countries interested in the conservation and protection of natural and cultural heritage sites of the world accede to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage that was adopted by UNESCO UNESCO

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations [i] established in 1945. ... 

 in 1972. Guyana is no exception, and signed the treaty in 1977. In fact, Guyana was the first Caribbean State Party to sign the treaty. Sometime in the latter half of the mid-1990s Guyana seriously began the process of selecting sites for World Heritage nomination and three sites were considered: Kaieteur National Park, Shell Beach and Historic Georgetown. By 1997, work on Kaieteur National Park was started and in 1998 work on Historic Georgetown was begun. To date, however, Guyana has not made a successful nomination.

In 2000 Guyana submitted the Kaieteur National Park, including the Kaieteur Falls Kaieteur Falls

Kaieteur Falls is a waterfall [i] on the Potaro River [i] in central Guyana [i]. ... 

, to UNESCO as its first World Heritage Site nomination. The proposed area and surrounds have some of Guyana’s most diversified life zones with one of the highest levels of endemic species found anywhere in South America. The Kaieteur Falls is the most spectacular feature of the park falling a distance of 226 m and exceeding the height of Niagara Falls five times. Unfortunately, the nomination of Kaieteur Park as a World Heritage Site was not successful, primarily because the area was seen by the evaluators as being too small, especially when compared with the Central Suriname Nature Reserve that had just been nominated as a World Heritage Site . The dossier was thus returned to Guyana for revision.

Guyana continues in its bid for a World Heritage Site. Work continues, after a period of hiatus, on the nomination dossier for Historic Georgetown – a Tentative List indicating Historic Georgetown as being put forward for nomination was submitted to UNESCO in December 2004. There is now a small committee put together by the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO to complete the nomination dossier and the management plan for the site. Recently, in April 2005, two Dutch experts in Conservation spent two weeks in Georgetown supervising Architecture staff and students of the University of Guyana in a historic building survey of the selected area. This is part of the data collection for the nomination dossier. It is expected that the completed nomination document will be submitted in 2006.

Meanwhile, as a result of the Kaieteur National Park being considered too small, there is a proposal to prepare a nomination for a Cluster Site that will include the Kaieteur National Park, the Iwokrama Forest and the Kanuku Mountains. The Iwokrama Rain Forest, an area rich in biological diversity, has been described by Major General Joseph Singh as “a flagship project for conservation.” The Kanuku Mountains area is in a pristine state, and is home to more than 400 birds and animals. These three sites together, we feel, more than adequately meet the requirements of exceptional natural beauty and biological diversity, as well as the requirements of size and integrity, for a successful nomination.

There is much work to be done for the successful nomination of these sites to the World Heritage List. The State, the private sector and the ordinary Guyanese each have a role to play in this process and in the later protection of the sites. Inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage will open Guyana to more serious tourists thereby assisting in its economic development.

Guyana exhibits two of the WWF's Global 200 ecoregions most crucial to the conservation of global biodiversity, Guianan moist forests and Guyana Highlands moist forests and is home to several endemic species including the tropical hardwood Greenheart .

Landmarks

  • St. George's Anglican Cathedral St. George's Anglican Cathedral

    St. George's Anglican Cathedral is one of the tallest wooden structures in the world, and the second tal... 

     - Was the tallest wooden building in the world at the time of construction. Now dwarfed by other structures such as the Todaiji Temple Todai-ji

    Todai-ji, the Eastern Great Temple, is a Buddhist [i] temple in Nara, Japan [i].... 

     in Japan.



  • Demerara Harbour Bridge - Was the longest floating bridge in the world. Now the fourth longest floating bridge in the world.
  • Kaieteur Falls Kaieteur Falls

    Kaieteur Falls is a waterfall [i] on the Potaro River [i] in central Guyana [i]. ... 

     - The tallest single-drop falls and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.
  • Building - houses the largest and most powerful political union in the Caribbean.
  • Providence Stadium - Under construction on the east bank of the Demerara River for the ICC World Cup 2007. Construction has started. When completed it will be a major spot for leisure in Guyana. It will also be near the Providence Mall which, when completed, will be the largest mall in Guyana.
  • Guyana International Conference Centre - presented as a gift from the People's Republic of China to the Government of Guyana. It is the only one of its kind in the country.
  • Stabroek Market - A large cast iron colonial structure located next to the Demerara River.
  • The Town Hall - A beautiful wooden structure also from the colonial era.

Military

Military branches:
Guyana Defence Force , Guyana People's Militia , Guyana National Service , Guyana Police Force

Military manpower - availability:

males age 15–49:
206,199

Military manpower - fit for military service:

males age 15–49:
155,058

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$7 million

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.7%

Trivia

  • The 1856 British Guiana 1c magenta British Guiana 1c magenta

    The British Guiana 1˘ magenta is among the rarest of all postage stamp [i]s. ... 

     stamp is considered the rarest in the world, with only one copy known to exist.
  • The 1959 film Green Mansions Green Mansions

    Green Mansions: A Romance of the Tropical Forest is an exotic romance [i] about a tra... 

    , starring Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn

    Audrey Hepburn was an iconic Academy Award [i]-winning actress [i], fashion model [i] ... 

     and Anthony Perkins Anthony Perkins

    Anthony Perkins was an American [i] actor best known for his role as the serial killer [i] ... 

    , was filmed in Guyana .
  • Guyana is the only South American country where the death penalty Capital punishment

    Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution [i] of a convicted criminal by the ... 

     is still in use for serious crimes and where homosexuality Homosexuality

    Homosexuality refers to sexual [i] and romantic [i] attraction between t ... 

     remains illegal.
  • On November 18 1978, the Jonestown Massacre Jonestown

    Jonestown was the communal settlement made in northwestern Guyana [i] by the Peoples Temple [i], an American [i] ... 

     took place in the jungle Jungle

    Jungle refers usually to a dense forest [i] in a hot climate.

... 

 of Northwest Guyana; 912 members of the cult Cult

In religion [i] and sociology [i], a cult is a cohesive group of people devoted to beliefs or practices that t ... 

 died in a mass suicide.
  • The Guinness Book of Records lists the Guyanese born Sir Lionel Luckhoo as "the world's most successful lawyer" because he obtained 245 consecutive acquittals for his clients that were accused of murder.
  • Guyanese people say that if you visit Guyana and "Eat Labba and Drink Black Water", you are bound to return to Guyana. .

Miscellaneous topics

  • Communications in Guyana
  • Foreign relations of Guyana
  • Military of Guyana
  • Music of Guyana
  • Transportation in Guyana Transport in Guyana

    The transportation sector comprises the physical facilities, terminals, fleets and ancillary equipment o... 

  • Islam in Guyana Islam in Guyana

    About 10 percent of Guyana [i]'s population is Muslim [i], representing 76,528 individuals. ... 

  • The Scout Association of Guyana The Scout Association of Guyana

    ... 

  • Jim Jones Jim Jones

    James Warren "Jim" Jones was the American [i] founder of the Peoples Temple [i] cult. ... 

  • Queen's College, Guyana

See also

  • French Guiana French Guiana

    French Guiana is an overseas dpartement [i] of France [i], located on the nor ... 

  • Suriname Suriname

    Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 



References


Further reading

  • All the Cowboys Were Indians Stanley E. Brock
  • Bush Pilot In Diamond Country Donald Haack
  • Climb To The Lost World Hamish McInnes, 1974
  • Georgetown Journal Andrew Salkey, 1970
  • Guyana Marion Morrison
  • Guyana Bob Temple
  • Guyana Farewell: A Recollection of Childhood in a Faraway Place Noel C. Bacchus
  • Guyana: Fragile Frontier Marcus Colchester
  • Guyana: My Fifty Years in the Guyanese Wilds Matthew French Young
  • Journey To Guyana Margaret Bacon
  • Jungle Cowboy Stanley E. Brock
  • Justice: The Struggle For Democracy in Guyana 1952-1992 Fr. Andrew Morrison, SJ
  • The Making of Guyana Vere T. Daly
  • Masters of All They Surveyed : Exploration, Geography and a British El Dorado D. Graham Burnett
  • Metegee: The History and Culture of Guyana Ovid Abrams
  • Ninety-Two Days Evelyn Waugh Evelyn Waugh

    [i] writer, best known for such [[Satire|satirical]... 

  • Three Singles To Adventure Gerald Durrell Gerald Durrell

    Gerald Malcolm Durrell was a naturalist [i], zookeeper [i], conservationist [i], author [i]... 

  • Through Indian Eyes: A Journey Among the Indian Tribes of Guiana Colin Henfrey
  • U.S. Intervention in British Guiana : A Cold War Story Stephen G. Rabe
  • Wanderings in South America Charles Waterton
  • Zoo Quest to Guiana David Attenborough David Attenborough

    Sir David Frederick Attenborough, OM [i], CH [i], CVO [i] ... 

    , 1956


For books specifically about the Jonestown massacre, see Further Reading on the Jonestown Jonestown

Jonestown was the communal settlement made in northwestern Guyana [i] by the Peoples Temple [i], an American [i] ... 

 page

External links


Government

  • - GO-Invest
  • - National website providing HIV/AIDS information to health professionals, general public and partners.
  • - Declassified US State Department documents detailing covert action from the start of postwar independence.

General

  • - Guyanese directory and host to ministerial sites
  • directory category
  • - The Mittleholzer Foundation - Online Guyanese Forum
  • - One of the premier web sites on Guyana and Guyanese
  • - On Guyana and its people
  • The Committee Dedicated to the Establishment of an American Guyana
  • - U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet for Guyana with entry reuirements and travel information and warnings

News media

  • One of the most popular websites for current news and information, this site also hosts an email directory of people from the Guyanese Community and Discussion Forum.
  • - Government Information Agency. Updated daily.
  • - Local daily government run newspaper.
  • - Local daily independent newspaper.
  • - Local daily independent newspaper. Updated daily and maintains archives for 7 days.


Map

  • Get an overview of .