Guyana

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana (formerly British Guiana) is a country in South America. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world (700,000 people live there inside its over 200,000 km² of area). Georgetown is the capital; like most of the country's settlements, it is on a flat coastal plain that goes from northwest to southeast. Venezuela claims the land west of the Essequibo River as part of Guayana Esequiba.

Co-operative Republic of Guyana[1]
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "One People, One Nation, One Destiny"
Anthem: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
Capital and largest city	Georgetown 6°46′N 58°10′W
Official languages	English
Recognised regional languages	Portuguese, Hindi, Spanish, Akawaio, Macushi, Wai Wai, Arawak, Patamona, Warrau, Carib, Wapishiana, Arekuna
National language	Guyanese Creole
Ethnic groups	East Indian 43.5% Black (African) 30.2% Mixed 16.7% Amerindian 9.1% Other 0.5%[2][3]
Demonym(s)	Guyanese
Government	Unitary Semi-presidential republic
• President	Mohamed Irfaan Ali
• Prime Minister	Mark Phillips
Independence
• Dutch Guiana	1667–1814
• British Guiana	1814–1966
• from the United Kingdom	26 May 1966
• Republic	23 February 1970
Area
• Total	214,970 km2 (83,000 sq mi) (84th)
• Water (%)	8.4
Population
• July 2010 estimate	752,940[2]1 (161st)
• 2002 census	751,223[3]
• Density	3.502/km2 (9.1/sq mi) (225th)
GDP (PPP)	2010 estimate
• Total	$5.379 billion[4]
• Per capita	$6,964[4]
GDP (nominal)	2010 estimate
• Total	$2.215 billion[4]
• Per capita	$2,868[4]
HDI (2010)	0.611[5] medium · 107th
Currency	Guyanese dollar (GYD)
Time zone	UTC-4 (GYT Guyana Time)
Driving side	left
Calling code	592
ISO 3166 code	GY
Internet TLD	.gy
Around one-third of the people (230,000) live in the capital, Georgetown.

Guyana's current president is Irfaan Ali. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966 (before which it was called British Guiana). The republic is called cooperative for integrating different ethnic groups into government, introduced after the socialist government PNC won a majority in1968. The term "cooperative republic" however dates back from 1961.

Guyana is member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Caribbean Community. It is ranked first in suicides per capita worldwide.^[6][7]

Related pages

• Guyana at the Olympics
• Guyana national football team
• List of rivers of Guyana