Guyana

Guyana is a developing nation located on the northern coast of South America.

It sits within a larger region called The Guianas. To the north, Guyana meets the Atlantic Ocean. It shares borders with Suriname to the east and Venezuela to the west. Brazil lies to the south and southwest. The capital and largest city is Georgetown.

Guyana is the third-smallest sovereign state in mainland South America by land area. It is also the second-least populous sovereign state in South America. Because of this, it is one of the least densely populated countries on Earth.

The geography of Guyana is divided into five distinct natural regions. First, there is a narrow, fertile, and marshy low coastal plain. This is where most of the population lives and works.

Next is a hilly sand and clay region located further inland. This area contains many of the country's mineral deposits. The third region is the forested highland region. This area consists of dense rainforests in the southern part of the country.

The fourth region includes drier savannah areas in the southwest.

Finally, the interior lowlands consist of mountains that rise toward the Brazilian border.

Guyana is home to incredible natural wonders and high biodiversity. It hosts a large part of the Amazon rainforest. This is the largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest in the world. The country is located on the Guiana Shield. This region is extremely biodiverse. Guyana contains more than 225 species of mammals and 900 species of birds. It also has 880 species of reptiles. One of the most famous landmarks is Kaieteur Falls.

This is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. The country also features Mount Roraima. This is the highest mountain in Guyana and is part of the Pakaraima range. These table-top mountains, known as tepuis, inspired the novel *The Lost World*.

Human history in Guyana stretches back for many millennia. Nine indigenous tribes reside in the country today. These include the Wai Wai, Macushi, Patamona, Lokono, Kalina, Wapishana, Pemon, Akawaio, and Warao. Many of these groups practiced shifting agriculture and hunting. The Lokono and Kalina tribes historically dominated the area. European contact began when Christopher Columbus sighted the region in 1498. However, the Dutch were the first Europeans to establish colonies. They founded settlements in Pomeroon, Essequibo, Berbice, and Demerara.

The British took control in 1796. By 1831, the various colonies became a single British colony known as British Guiana.

Guyana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. It officially became a republic in 1970. This history created a very diverse population. The people include Indian, African, Indigenous, Chinese, and Portuguese groups. This diversity is also seen in the languages spoken. Guyana is the only country in mainland South America where English is the official language. Most people also speak Guyanese Creole, which is an English-based creole. Many citizens are bilingual in English and indigenous languages. The country is also a member of the Commonwealth Caribbean and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In recent years, Guyana has experienced a massive economic transformation. In 2015, companies discovered large crude oil reserves offshore.

Commercial drilling began in 2019. This discovery caused the economy to grow by 49% in 2020. Some analysts call it the fastest-growing economy in the world. Since 2017, over 11 billion barrels of oil reserves have been found. This is the largest addition to global oil reserves since the 1970s. Guyana is expected to become a major global oil producer by 2025. Currently, Guyana has the fourth-highest GDP per capita in the Americas. This ranking follows the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas.

Despite this growth, the country faces significant challenges. In 2017, 41% of the population lived below the poverty line. The World Bank noted in 2023 that abject poverty still exists. The country must manage its rapid growth carefully. There are also ongoing political and territorial tensions. Venezuela has claimed the Essequibo region, which is part of Guyana. This has led to military buildups and diplomatic disputes. Guyana remains a key player in international energy and regional politics.