Guyana is the size of Idaho and is situated on the northern coast of South America, east of Venezuela, west of Suriname, and north of Brazil. A tropical forest covers more than 80% of the country.
Country lead by President: Bharrat Jagdeo (1999)
Prime Minister: Samuel Hinds (1999)
Population
767,245 (growth rate: 0.3%); birth rate: 18.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 32.2/1000; life expectancy: 65.9; density per sq mi: 10
Land Area
76,004 sq mi (196,850 sq km); total area: 83,000 sq mi (214,970 sq km)
Monetary unit
Guyanese dollar Language
English (official), Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Ethnicity East Indian 50%; black 36%; Amerindian 7%; white, Chinese, and mixed 7%
Religion Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Islam 10%, other 5%
Transportation Railways: total: 187 km (all dedicated to ore transport) (2001 est.). Highways: total: 7,970 km; paved: 590 km; unpaved: 7,380 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 1,077 km; note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2004) . Ports and harbors: Georgetown. Airports: 49 (2004 est.).
