Guyana

I

Introduction

Guyana, in full, Cooperative Republic of Guyana, republic on the northern coast of South America, formerly British Guiana, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by Suriname, on the south by Brazil, and on the west by Brazil and Venezuela. There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela regarding the region west of the Essequibo river; likewise, Suriname claims a small triangular portion of south-east Guyana. The country achieved independence on May 26, 1966. Guyana has an area of 214,969 sq km (83,000 sq mi); its coastline is about 435 km (270 mi) long. The capital is Georgetown.

II

Land and Resources

Guyana can be divided into three major geographical regions. A belt of alluvial soil, varying in width from about 8 to 65 km (5 to 40 mi) and mostly below sea level, extends along the coast and is protected by a system of dams and dykes. To the south lies the dense forest area that makes up about four fifths of the country. The forests extend into an interior highland region with a maximum elevation, at Mount Roraima, of 2,772 m (9,094 ft). Beyond the forest lies a region of savannah.

A

Rivers and Lakes

Several important rivers—the Essequibo, Demerara, Courantyne, and Berbice—flow northwards across Guyana, although many are chemically polluted. The rivers are navigable by ocean-going freighters only to about 100 to 160 km (60 to 100 mi) from the sea; further inland, navigation is not possible because of rapids and falls. Some of the rivers form spectacular waterfalls, notably Kaieteur Falls (226 m/741 ft high), on the Potaro River, one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in the world.

B

Climate

Guyana has a tropical climate, with little seasonal temperature change. The annual rainfall (about 2,280 mm/90 in) on the coast occurs mainly from April to August and November to January. The savannah region receives some 1,525 mm (60 in) of rain annually, mainly from April to September.