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South America and South Atlantic Islands
Guyana |
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Last reviewed: 27 February 2012 |
Country information
GUYANA TODAY
Country Facts
Area: 214,970 sq km, 82,980 sq miles
Population: 753,000
Capital City: Georgetown (population about 250,000)
Nationality: Guyanese
Languages: English, Amerindian languages dialects, Creole
Religions: Christians 57%, Hindu 30%, Muslim 7%, and Other 6%
Ethnic Groups: East Indian 43%, African/black 30%, mixed 17%, Amerindian 9%, white and Chinese 1% (2001 census)
Currency: Guyanese dollar (GYD). (February 2012 315 GYD to 1 UK pound)
Major Political Parties: People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU; new coalition for the 2011 elections made of 10 parties) and Alliance for Change (AFC).
Government: Republic within the Commonwealth
Head of State: President Donald RAMOTAR
Prime Minister: Hon Samuel HINDS, MP
Foreign Minister: Carolyn RODRIGUES-BIRKETT, MP
Membership of international groups/organisations including: CARICOM, WTO, OAS, ACS, UNASUR, ECLAC, United Nations, the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP group), the Commonwealth, the Group of 77, the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Non-Aligned Movement, the Rio Group.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Guyana is part of the 'Guiana Shield' which, together with the adjacent Amazon Basin, is the largest equatorial forest in the world.
- It is generally agreed that the name Guyana is derived from an Amerindian expression 'Guiana', which means 'land of many waters'.
Climate Change
Guyana is particularly vulnerable to climate change. 90% of the population live on the coastal belt which is, on average, one metre below sea level. Guyana also experiences very heavy rainfall. Severe flooding in 2005 was estimated to have led to losses equivalent to 60% of GDP.
Guyana has been active in recent years on international climate change policy. 75% of Guyana’s territory is rainforest and Guyana has been engaged in international efforts to devise approaches which avoid deforestation and contribute to climate change mitigation, including REDD+. In 2009 Guyana signed a-performance-based bilateral agreement with Norway to limit its deforestation, worth up to US$250 million over five years. Revenue from the agreement will help finance Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.
