Guyana
From The West Indian Encyclopedia
Contents |
Background
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat Jagdeo, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006.
Location
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates
5 00 N, 59 00 W
Area
total: 214,969 sq km country comparison to the world: 84 land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km
Area - comparative
Slightly smaller than U.S state Idaho
Land boundaries
total: 2,949 km border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline
459 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
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Terrain
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Natural resources
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Final Notes
The third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively