Guyana is a nation located on the northern coast of the continent of South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Guyana shares land borders with Suriname to the east, Brazil to the south, and Venezuela to the west.
Fast Facts:
- Capital: Georgetown
- President: Bharrat Jagdeo (as of 2008)BBC News: Guyana Leaders
- Government: Semi-presidential republic
- Population: 769,095 est. (July 2007)
- Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
- Exchange RateYahoo! Finance: Guyana Exchange Rate
- Calling code: +592
- Official Language: English
- Area: 214,970 sq km, 82,980 sq milesFCO.com: Guyana Country Profile
- Major religions: Christianity, Hinduism, IslamBBC News: Guyana Religions
Geography
Guyana contains dense rainforests running through the center of the country, as well as mountains which rise up to the Brazilian border in the south. The highest point in Guyana is the 6,699-foot Mount Ayanganna in the west of the country.
Brief History
Prior to European contact, Guyana was inhabited by Arawak and Carib Amerindians. The Dutch first established colonies in what is today Guyana in the 17th century, but these colonies were ceded to the British in the 1800s. Maroon communities of escaped African slaves played a pivotal role in the settlement of the area, and today, the population of Guyana is a highly diverse mix of races and ethnicities from all over the world.
