Guyana

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana, commonly known as Guyana, is a country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and southeast, and Suriname to the east, with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The capital and largest city is Georgetown. The official language is English, with Guyanese Creole widely spoken in daily life. Population is around 790,000.

Geography: Guyana lies mostly in the Guiana Shield, with vast tropical rainforest interior and savannas in the west. Notable natural sites include the Kaieteur Falls and vast river systems such as the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice. The country is rich in biodiversity and natural resources, including bauxite, gold, diamonds, and timber.

History and government: Originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, Guyana was a Dutch colony, then a British colony, and gained independence in 1966. It became a republic in 1970. It is a unitary presidential republic with a unicameral National Assembly. The President is the head of state and government; the Prime Minister serves as deputy and leads the cabinet. The Parliament has 65 seats and a multi-party system, with major parties including the People’s Progressive Party and the APNU-AFC coalition.

Economy and demographics: Since the discovery of offshore oil in the 2010s, Guyana's economy has diversified and grown rapidly, though the population remains small. The economy also relies on gold, timber, sugar, and agriculture. Main exports include oil, gold, and bauxite. The currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD). The country is religiously diverse, with Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam among the major faiths.