Guyana

Guyana

Introduction

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.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

total: 214,969 sq km
country comparison to the world: 85 land:196,849 sq km
water:18,120 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than 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

Land use

arable land: 2.23%
permanent crops:0.14%
other:97.63% (2005)

Irrigated land

1,500 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

241 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.64cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%)
per capita:2,187cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

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

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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)
adjective:Guyanese

Ethnic groups

East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census)

Languages

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu

Religions

Protestant 30.5% (Pentecostal 16.9%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%), Hindu 28.4%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.1%, Muslim 7.2%, other Christian 17.7%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census)

Population

744,768 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.9% (male 120,981/female 116,654)
15-64 years:63.3% (male 235,566/female 235,717)
65 years and over:4.8% (male 14,801/female 21,049) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 23.9 years
male:23.2 years
female:24.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.44% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220

Birth rate

17.12 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Death rate

7.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Net migration rate

-14.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

Urbanization

urban population: 29% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

GEORGETOWN (capital) 132,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.71 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

270 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 49

Infant mortality rate

total: 36.76 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 68 male:41.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female:32.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 67.08 years
country comparison to the world: 159 male:63.27 years
female:71.07 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.34 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Health expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102

Physicians density

0.48 physicians/1,000 population (2000)
country comparison to the world: 126

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 107

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 93% of population
total: 94% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 7% of population
total: 6% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 85% of population
rural: 80% of population
total: 81% of population
unimproved:
urban: 15% of population
rural: 20% of population
total: 19% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

1.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

5,900 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease:leptospirosis (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

10.8% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 63

Education expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 28

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population:91.8%
male:92%
female:91.6% (2002 Census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years
male:12 years
female:12 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 24.1%
country comparison to the world: 35 male:20.6%
female:31.3% (2002)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form:Guyana
former:British Guiana

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Georgetown
geographic coordinates:6 48 N, 58 10 W
time difference:UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Independence

26 May 1966 (from the UK)

National holiday

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Constitution

6 October 1980

Legal system

common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999)

note – assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006
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)
cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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 on 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011)

prime minister appointed by the president
election results:President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected

percent of vote 54.6%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (65 seats

members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president

members to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011)
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

Judicial branch

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

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 Bar Association

Guyana Citizens Initiative

Guyana Human Rights Association

Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU

Private Sector Commission

Trades Union Congress

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN
chancery:2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 265-6900
FAX:[1] (202) 232-1297
consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

Charge d’Affaires Karen L. WILLIAMS
embassy:US 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
FAX:[592] 225-8497

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

green represents forest and foliage

yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future

white symbolizes Guyana’s rivers

red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people

black indicates perseverance

National symbol(s)

Canje pheasant (hoatzin)

jaguar

National anthem

name: “Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains”
lyrics/music:Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER
note:adopted 1966

Economy

Economy – overview

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities – sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice – which represent nearly 60% of the country’s GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana’s entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 has broadened the country’s export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Economic recovery since a 2005 flood-related contraction was buoyed by increases in remittances and foreign direct investment in the sugar and rice industries as well as the mining sector. 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. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana’s principal donor, canceled Guyana’s nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to nearly 48% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt forgiveness brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 120% in 2007. Guyana became heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Growth slowed in 2009-10 as a result of the world recession. The slowdown in the domestic economy and lower import costs helped to narrow the country’s current account deficit, despite generally lower earnings from exports.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.379 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160 $5.19 billion (2009 est.)
$5.024 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.215 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107 3.3% (2009 est.)
2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$7,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129 $6,900 (2009 est.)
$6,600 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 24%
industry:24.4%
services:51.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

333,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: NA%
industry:NA%
services:NA%

Unemployment rate

11% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 121

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%:33.8% (1999)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

43.2 (1999)
country comparison to the world: 47

Investment (gross fixed)

30.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Budget

revenues: $587.3 million
expenditures:$653.6 million (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Public debt

57% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140 2.9% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50 6.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.54% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61 14.54% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$397.2 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163 $326.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.498 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149 $1.296 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$921.7 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155 $826.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$339.8 million (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 112 $287 million (31 December 2009)
$289.9 million (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

sugarcane, rice, edible oils

shrimp, fish, beef, pork, poultry

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

2.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity – production

820 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151

Electricity – consumption

688 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Oil – consumption

10,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

Oil – imports

10,480 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Current account balance

-$274.7 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92 -$254.1 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$882.7 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156 $763 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

Canada 24.6%, US 24.6%, Ukraine 6%, Netherlands 4.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.6%, Portugal 4.5%, Jamaica 4.5%, UK 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$1.386 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166 $1.161 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Imports – partners

Trinidad and Tobago 24.2%, US 23.1%, Cuba 6.7%, China 6.7%, South Korea 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$782.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140 $631.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$804.3 million (30 September 2008)
country comparison to the world: 156 $1.2 billion (2002)

Exchange rates

Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -
204.07 (2010)
203.95 (2009)
203.86 (2008)
201.89 (2007)
200.28 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

96 (2010)
country comparison to the world:63

Airports – with paved runways

total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:7 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 86
914 to 1,523 m:13
under 914 m:73 (2010)

Roadways

total: 7,970 km
country comparison to the world: 142 paved:590 km
unpaved:7,380 km (2001)

Waterways

330 km (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 92

Merchant marine

total: 8
country comparison to the world: 121 by type:cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1
registered in other countries:3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Georgetown

Military

Military branches

Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service

no conscription (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 189,840 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 133,239
females age 16-49:147,719 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 8,849
female:8,460 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 80

Transnational Issues

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

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