2007 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.2% (male 102,551/female 98,772) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 265,193/female 260,892) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 17,043/female 22,794) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimp

Airports

90 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total

9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

under 914 m

6 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

81 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14

under 914 m

65 (2006)

Area

land

196,850 sq km

total

214,970 sq km

water

18,120 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Idaho

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, Jane JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Geography Guyana

Birth rate

18.28 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$430.3 million; including capital expenditures of $93.4 million (2006 est.)

revenues

$359.9 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

6 48 N, 58 10 W

name

Georgetown

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

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

Coastline

459 km

Constitution

6 October 1980

Country name

conventional long form

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form

Guyana

former

British Guiana

Currency (code)

Guyanese dollar (GYD)

Currency code

GYD

Current account balance

$-84.3 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$1.2 billion (2002)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador David M. ROBINSON

embassy

100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown

mailing address

P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170

telephone

[592] 225-4900 through 4909

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Bayney KARRAN

telephone

[1] (202) 265-6900

Disputes - international

all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters

Economic aid - recipient

$84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997)

Economy - overview

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The InterAmerican Development Bank in November 2006 canceled Guyana's nearly $400 million debt with the Bank. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have fallen sharply, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 will broaden the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector.

Electricity - consumption

761.5 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

818.8 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

99.4%

hydro

0.6%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Roraima 2,835 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%

Exchange rates

Guyanese dollars per US dollar - 200.281 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004), 193.88 (2003), 190.67 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature

chief of state

President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and reelected in 2001, and again in 2006

election results

President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6%

elections

president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997)

Exports

$621.6 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber

Exports - partners

Canada 18.9%, US 18.9%, UK 11.8%, Portugal 8.1%, Jamaica 5.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.2% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 232-1297

[592] 225-8497

consulate(s) general

New York

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Guyana

Flag description

green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Economy Guyana

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

35.5%

industry

19.3%

services

45.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,700 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$826.6 million (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.62 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Geography - note

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 People Guyana

Government type

republic

Guyana Defense Force

Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Corps (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$706.9 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Imports - partners

US 26.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 23.9%, Cuba 6.6%, UK 5%, China 4.1% (2005)

Independence

26 May 1966 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Infant mortality rate

female

28.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

35.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

32.19 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.gy

Internet hosts

1,046 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

3 (2000)

Internet users

160,000 (2005) Transportation Guyana

Investment (gross fixed)

31.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

1,500 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Judicial Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice

Labor force

418,000 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Land boundaries

border countries

Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

total

2,949 km

Land use

arable land

2.23%

other

97.63% (2005)

permanent crops

0.14%

Languages

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

Legal system

based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (65 members elected by popular vote, also not more than four non-elected non-voting ministers and two non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2

elections

last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011)

Life expectancy at birth

female

68.65 years (2006 est.)

male

63.21 years

total population

65.86 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

98.5% (2003 est.) Government Guyana

male

99.1%

total population

98.8%

Location

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

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49

206,098 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49

137,964 (2005 est.)

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

continental shelf

200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

27.9 years (2006 est.)

male

26.9 years

total

27.4 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 5, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned

1 (Germany 1)

registered in other countries

4 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, unknown 1) (2006)

total

7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 12,461 GRT/15,155 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$6.48 million (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.9% (2003 est.) Transnational Issues Guyana

National holiday

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Nationality

adjective

Guyanese

noun

Guyanese (singular and plural)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Natural resources

bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Net migration rate

-7.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,200 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress

Population

767,245

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

0.25% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Georgetown Military Guyana

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

420,000 (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

48 km 0.914-m gauge

note

all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.)

standard gauge

139 km 1.435-m gauge

total

187 km

Religions

Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$294.9 million (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

590 km

total

7,970 km

unpaved

7,380 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay network for trunk lines

general assessment

fair system for long-distance service

international

country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

110,100 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

281,400 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997)

Televisions

46,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Total fertility rate

2.04 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.1% (understated) (2000)

Waterways

Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2005)