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Guyana

South America • Countries
Guyana - Panoramic Places of Interest Atlas including Fort Zeelandia and the Court of Policy, Kyk-Over-Al, St. George's Cathedral, Stabroek Market, Georgetown City Hall, Parliament Building of Guyana, 1763 Monument, Umana Yana, Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, Guyana National Museum, Castellani House (National Gallery of Art), Georgetown Seawall, Promenade Gardens, Kaieteur Falls, Mount Roraima, Iwokrama Forest and Canopy Walkway

Top Sights & Landmarks

01

Fort Zeelandia and the Court of Policy

Dutch Colonial Stronghold

02

Kyk-Over-Al

Ruins of the First Dutch Fort

03

St. George's Cathedral

Towering Wooden Cathedral

04

Stabroek Market

The Busiest Hub in Georgetown

05

Georgetown City Hall

Gothic Revival Masterpiece

06

Parliament Building of Guyana

Seat of the National Assembly

07

1763 Monument

Tribute to Cuffy and the Berbice Rebellion

08

Umana Yana

Meeting Place of the People

09

Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology

Preserving Indigenous Culture

10

Guyana National Museum

History, Flora, and Fauna

11

Castellani House (National Gallery of Art)

Home of Guyanese Fine Art

12

Georgetown Seawall

Dutch Engineering and Local Hangout

13

Promenade Gardens

Colonial Beauty with a Dark Past

14

Kaieteur Falls

World's Largest Single-Drop Waterfall

15

Mount Roraima

The Ancient Tepui

16

Iwokrama Forest and Canopy Walkway

A Living Laboratory of Biodiversity

The Land of Many Waters: Guyana's Eternal Rhythm

To set foot in Guyana is to experience the raw, pulsing heartbeat of the South American continent. It is a nation that defies the traditional categorization of South American identity, instead existing as a singular bridge between the Amazonian heartland and the Caribbean consciousness. Guyana does not whisper its history. It shouts it through the thunderous cascades of the Kaieteur Falls, the complex web of blackwater rivers that carve through the Guiana Shield, and the dense, emerald canopy that shelters a biodiversity rivaling anywhere on Earth. Here, the landscape is not merely a setting. It is the primary author of the national character.

This is the "Land of Many Waters," a name derived from the Indigenous words that speak to the essential geography of the region. As you navigate the winding waterways that act as the country’s primary veins, you begin to understand how the shifting silt and rising tides have dictated the settlements, the industry, and the resilience of a people shaped by the frontier. To truly comprehend how this delicate balance between nature and humanity has been struck, you may explore the comprehensive history of Guyana, which details the profound saga of colonization, the endurance of indigenous cultures, and the forging of a multicultural state.

An Ancestral Tapestry of Culture

Guyana’s demographic landscape is a vibrant, kaleidoscopic reflection of global migrations. It is a place where South Asian heritage meets African rhythm, Indigenous wisdom meets European colonial influence, and the result is a society unlike any other. This synthesis of cultures defines the country's social fabric, evident in everything from the fragrant, slow-simmered pepperpot of the kitchen to the rhythmic, hypnotic sounds of Chutney music that echo through the coastal villages. The national story is one of navigation and adaptation, a theme that teachers and students alike can analyze through an interactive perspective as they test their knowledge with our history puzzle, challenging themselves to piece together the milestones that shaped the modern Guyanese identity.

The spirit of Guyana lives in the resilience of its inhabitants. Whether it is the descendants of indentured laborers, the legacy of the plantation era, or the ancestral endurance of the Amerindian tribes, the Guyanese people have crafted a shared narrative built upon communal support and distinct linguistic pride. The nation is a living library of cultural endurance, where the boundaries of history are as fluid as the great Essequibo River itself.

A Natural Frontier Defined by Spectacle

For the traveler, the scientist, or the wide-eyed student, the geographical wonders of Guyana are unparalleled. The landscape is dominated by the Guiana Shield, one of the oldest geological formations on the planet. These ancient rock surfaces have been weathered over millions of years, creating a dramatic topography of tepuis and rainforests that act as a refuge for endemic species found nowhere else on the globe. To visualize the grandeur of this rugged terrain, you can immerse yourself in the cinematic showcase of Guyana's major historical events, which captures the visual intensity of the nation's unfolding legacy through high-resolution archival imagery and pedagogical summaries.

Beyond the forest, the points of interest within the country serve as beacons of both ecological beauty and architectural heritage. From the stately timber structure of St. George’s Cathedral in Georgetown—one of the tallest wooden churches in the world—to the untamed expanses of the Iwokrama Forest, Guyana is a living classroom for geography and environmental science. We invite you to experience the physical majesty of the landscape through our curated cinematic showcase of top Guyana points of interest, where you can traverse the country’s most breathtaking locations from the comfort of your own screen.

Navigating the Guianese Future

As Guyana stands on the precipice of a new era of global prominence, its identity remains rooted in its stewardship of the land. It is a nation that is acutely aware of its role in the global environmental conversation, serving as a vital "lung" of the earth with its vast, carbon-absorbing rainforests. This intersection of ecology and ambition defines the Guyana of the 21st century. It is a place that requires a delicate touch and a respectful eye, inviting visitors to appreciate a pace of life that respects the tidal patterns and the seasonal rains.

Understanding Guyana requires an acceptance of the slow reveal. You do not conquer this land, nor do you simply observe it. You participate in it. Whether you are delving into the nuances of its constitutional evolution, analyzing the complexities of its energy sector, or simply marveling at the sheer verticality of its mountains, Guyana offers a depth of discovery that feels both antique and forward-looking. This is a land where every river branch tells a story, and every forest glade holds a piece of a forgotten, or perhaps yet-to-be-written, history.

As you proceed through this GeoGnos Atlas entry, consider how the interplay of the physical terrain—the coastal lowlands, the riverine arteries, and the highland plateau—continues to influence the lives of those who call this unique territory home. It is a mosaic of human experience, mapped across one of the most biodiverse stretches of the Amazonian basin, waiting for those curious enough to look closer.

Location

Latitude
5° N
Longitude
-59° E
N S W E
World Map Location
Geographic Location

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Map Reference
South America

Area

Total Area
214,969 sq km
Land (92%)
Land: 196,849 sq km
Water: 18,120 sq km

Elevation

Highest Point
Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima
Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m
Lowest Point
Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Mean Elevation
207 m

Detailed Geography Information

Coastline

459 km

Geography - note

the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent

Irrigated land

1,430 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

Total boundary: 2,933 km
Brazil 1308 km
Suriname 836 km
Venezuela 789 km

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards

flash flood threat during rainy seasons

Natural resources

bauxitegolddiamondshardwood timbershrimpfish

Terrain

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Population & Growth

+0.30% Growth
796,742
Total inhabitants (2025 est.)
Male: 51.0% (406,599) Female: 49.0% (390,143)

Age Distribution

0-14 years
23.5%
~187,234
15-64 years
68.4%
~544,972
65 years
8.1%
~64,536
Note: 2024 est.

Demographic Longevity

Median Age
28.7 years
Male
28.2 yrs
Female
28.4 yrs
Life Expectancy
72.4 years
Male
70.6 yrs
Female
74.3 yrs

Vital Dynamics

Birth Rate
16.68
births per 1,000 people
Death Rate
7.05
deaths per 1,000 people
Net Migration
-6.14
migrants per 1,000 people
Fertility Rate
2.04
children born per woman

Detailed People & Society Information

Alcohol consumption per capita

5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.4% (2019 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

59% (2020 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 46.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 34.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 12.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.1 (2025 est.)

Education expenditure

4.5%

4.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 7.2% national budget (2025 est.)

Ethnic groups

East Indian
39.8%
African descent
29.3%
mixed
19.9%
Indigenous
10.5%
other (includes Portuguese
0.5%

Gross reproduction rate

1 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

4.9%

4.9% of GDP (2021) 10.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 20.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Literacy

total population: 85.6% (2020 est.) male: 84.2% (2020 est.) female: 86.9% (2020 est.)

Major urban areas - population

110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.8 years (2009 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.2% (2016)

Physician density

1.39 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population distribution

population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with notable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Total Displaced & Vulnerable Persons
79 individuals
Refugees
100.0%
79
79 (2024 est.)

Religions

Protestant (Pentecostal
34.8%
Seventh Day Adventist
5.4%
Anglican
5.2%
Methodist
1.4%
Hindu
24.8%
other Christian
20.8%
Roman Catholic
7.1%
Muslim
6.8%
Jehovah's Witness
1.3%
Rastafarian
0.5%
other
0.9%
none
3.1%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 9.2% (2025 est.) male: 16.9% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.)

Climate & Issues

Climate Profile

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Key Environmental Issues
water pollution from sewage and agricultural/industrial chemicals deforestation

Land Cover

Coverage Distribution
Forest (87%)
Arable: 0.5%
Crops: 0.1%
Pasture: 2.8%
Forest: 87.1%

Air & Carbon Emissions

Annual CO2 Output 2023 est.
2.639 million
Coal (0%) Oil (0%) Gas (100%)
PM2.5 Exposure 11.2 µg/m³
0 5 (WHO Limit) 15 25 35+
Methane Emissions
energy: 103 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Water Resources & Use

Renewable Water Resources 271 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Annual Water Withdrawal
municipal: 61.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal (4%) Ind (1%) Agri (94%)

Detailed Environmental Information

International environmental agreements

BiodiversityClimate ChangeClimate Change-Kyoto ProtocolClimate Change-Paris AgreementComprehensive Nuclear Test BanDesertificationEndangered SpeciesHazardous WastesLaw of the SeaMarine Dumping-London ProtocolOzone Layer ProtectionShip PollutionTropical Timber 2006

Urbanization

urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 179,300 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 23% (2022 est.)

Capital & State Profile

Capital City
Georgetown
6.8° N, -58.15° E
Timezone UTC-4
Government Type
parliamentary republic
Independence 1966-05-26
National Holiday 02-23

Executive Branch

Chief of State
President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)
Head of Government
President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)
Last Election 1 September 2025
Next Election August 2030
Cabinet Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly

Legislative Branch

unicameral
Legislature Name Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Seats & Term
72 (all directly elected) seats / 5 years
Women in Chamber
36.1% Representation
Electoral System proportional representation
Parties Composition
People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 36We Invest in Nationhood (W.I.N.) 16A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) 12Other 1

National Identity & Symbols

National Flag Description

green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the left side) on top of a long yellow arrowhead shape that extends to the opposite side of the flag; a narrow black border sits between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and green

Symbolic Meaning green stands for forest and foliage, yellow for mineral resources and a bright future, white for the rivers, red for zeal and the people's sacrifice, and black for perseverance
National Symbol Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily
National Colors red, yellow, green, black, white
National Anthem Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains

Detailed Government Information

Administrative divisions

10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: na

Constitution

history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980 amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval

Country name

conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana etymology: the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; the name Guiana may be derived from a local term meaning "Land of Water" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Land Court; magistrates' courts

Legal system

common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence

Political parties

A New and United Guyana or ANUG A Partnership for National Unity or APNU Alliance for Change or AFC Justice for All Party Liberty and Justice Party or LJP National Independent Party or NIP People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C The New Movement or TNM The United Force or TUF United Republican Party or URP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economic Overview

small, hydrocarbon-driven South American export economy; major forest coverage being leveraged in carbon credit offsets to encourage preservation; strengthening financial sector; large bauxite and gold resources

Size & Performance

Real GDP (PPP)
$58.423 billion
Latest available estimate (2024)
2023: $40.749 billion2022: $30.457 billion
Real GDP Growth
43.4% (2024 est.)
+43.4%
GDP Per Capita (PPP)
$70,300
2023: $49,3002022: $37,100

GDP Sector Breakdown

Agriculture: 8.0%Industry: 74.3%Services: 15.3%
Origin GDP %
Agriculture 8.0%
Industry 74.3%
Services 15.3%

Trade Balance

Trade Position
Trade Surplus
$2.78 billion
Total Exports
$13.739 billion (2023 est.)
Total Imports
$10.956 billion (2023 est.)
Exports (56%) Imports (44%)

Budget Balance

Budget Position
Budget Deficit
-$134.00 million
Revenues
$1.333 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures
$1.467 billion (2019 est.)
Revenues (48%) Expenditures (52%)

Export Profile

Top Export Partners

Note: 2023; top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Major Export Commodities

crude petroleumrailway cargo containersgoldshipsrice

Import Profile

Top Import Partners

28.0%
13.0%
The
4.0%
Note: 2023; top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Major Import Commodities

refined petroleumshipsconstruction vehiclesexcavation machinerycars

Labor & Employment

Total Labor Force 292,200 (2024 est.)
General Unemployment Rate 10.2%
Youth Unemployment (Ages 15-24) 22.3%

Income Inequality

Detailed Economic Data

Agricultural products

ricesugarcaneplantainscassavapapayaspumpkinschickenmilkgingereggplants

Current account balance

$2.352 billion (2023 est.) $4.242 billion (2022 est.) -$1.36 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

$1.805 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 208.5 (2024 est.) 208.5 (2023 est.) 208.5 (2022 est.) 208.5 (2021 est.) 208.5 (2020 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

53.3% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

bauxitesugarrice millingtimbertextilesgold mining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2024 est.) 2.8% (2023 est.) 6.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Remittances

3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 6.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.01 billion (2024 est.) $895.275 million (2023 est.) $917.877 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Grid Infrastructure

Electricity Access 93%
Urban: 98% Rural: 91.6%
Capacity 259,000 kW (2023 est.)
Consumption 1.07 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Grid Losses: 268.803 million kWh (2023 est.)

Generation Mix

Percentage Share of Production
fossil fuels 92.9%
biomass and waste 5.4%
solar 1.3%
hydroelectricity 0.3%

Fossil Fuels Production

Petroleum
Production 391,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Consumption 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas
Consumption 1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Imports 1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Intensity & Nuclear

Energy Consumption Per Capita 46.045 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
No nuclear energy infrastructure or reactor operations reported in this country dossier.

Digital Access

.gy
Internet Usage 82%

Active internet users as a percentage of the total population.

Fixed Broadband

Penetration Rate 13 / 100
Total Subscriptions 106,000 (2022 est.)

Mobile Cellular

Penetration Rate 113 / 100
Total Subscriptions 925,000 (2022 est.)

Broadcast Media

government-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition

Aviation

8R
Airports
55
As of 2025

Ports & Harbors

Ports Count 3
Hover for breakdown & key ports As of 2024

Merchant Marine

Commercial Fleet
80 ships
Hover for vessel types breakdown As of 2023

Military Expenditures

GDP Allocation 0.9%
0.9% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Active Duty Strengths

approximately 3,500 active-duty Guyana Defense Forces (2025)

Refers to active military personnel.

Service & Defense Details

Military and security forces

the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as the Guyana National Reserve (2026) note: the Guyana Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for internal security

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of older or secondhand platforms imported from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, India, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2025)

Military - note

the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was established in 1965; its primary missions are territorial defense, maritime security, search and rescue, medical evacuation, aviation and engineering support, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, peace support operations, and community engagement; key areas of concern include illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, porous borders, and threats from Venezuela over disputed territory; the GDF participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises and has relationships with Brazil, China, France, the UK, and the US Guyana joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 2022; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2026)