Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966. Forbes BURNHAM led the coalition government which won independence for British Guiana in 1966 and was Guyana’s first prime minister. He was the Prime Minister of Guyana from 1964 until he became President in 1980. He held the office of the presidency until his death in 1985. Desmond HOYTE became President in 1985 on the death of his predecessor, Forbes Burnham. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president. 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 elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 re- sulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by President David GRANGER. The elections in March 2020 saw the election of the current President is Irfaan ALI.
LOCATION: Northern South America, bordering the North Atantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela.
CLIMATE: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January).
NATURAL RESOURCES:bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish, and, recently oil and gas.
GEOGRAPHY: 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) contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent.
POPULATION: 737,718 (July 2017 est.).
LANGUAGES: English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi).
GOVERNMENT: Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means “”Land of Many Waters”” (referring to the area’s multitude of rivers and streams).
CAPITAL: name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N,58 09 W.
INDEPENDENCE: 26 May 1966 (from the UK)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: Guyana observes a variety of holidays including that of Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
CONSTITUTION: There were several previous Constitutions. The latest promulgated was on the 6 October 1980. It has been amended many times, last in 2009 and 2017.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH: Head of State: The President is both Head of State and Head of Government.
Cabinet: The Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the President and is responsible to the National Assembly.
Elections: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last election became President for a 5-year term. The Prime Minister is appointed by the president.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: “Name: “”Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains”” lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER.
ECONOMY: The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. With the discovery of oil and gas in 2015, the prospects for growth and development have improved.
The IMF and the World Bank have both projected substantial growth of the Guyana economy in the years ahead.