The Coat of Arms of Guyana (Co-operative Republic of Guyana) was granted by the College of Arms on 25 February 1966.

It includes a crest of an Amerindian head-dress symbolising the indigenous people of the country, this crest is also called the Cacique’s Crown; two diamonds at the sides of the head-dress representing mining industry; a helmet; two jaguars as supporters holding a pick axe, sugar cane, and a stalk of rice (symbolising Guyana’s mining, sugar and rice industries); a shield decorated with the Victoria amazonica lily, Guyana’s national flower; three blue wavy lines representing the three main rivers of Guyana; and the national bird, the Canje Pheasant (Opisthocomus hoazin). The national motto, “One people, One Nation, One Destiny”, appears on the scroll below the shield.

The country’s history is much more Caribbean by nature than it is South American. One reason for this is that Guyana was once a British colony, like many of the Caribbean islands. No other South American countries were ever British colonies and Guyana is therefore unique in this sense. [2]

Location

The Geography of Guyana comprises the physical characteristics of the country in Northern South America and part of Caribbean South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela, with a land area of approximately 214,969 square kilometres. The country is situated between 1 and 9 north latitude and between 56 and 62 west longitude. With a 459-kilometre Atlantic coastline on the northeast, Guyana is bounded by Venezuela on the west, Brazil on the west and south, and Suriname on the east.

Time zone

(GMT-4) GYT Time Zone (Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

The 10 (ten) regions are [3]:

1. Barima-Waini.
2. Cuyuni-Mazaruni.
3. Demerara-Mahaica.
4. East Berbice-Corentyne.
5. Essequibo Islands-West Demerara.
6. Mahaica-Berbice.
7. Pomeroon-Supenaam.
8. Potaro-Siparuni.
9. Upper Demerara-Berbice.
10. Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo.

Ethnic Groups (2012)

The present population of Guyana is racially and ethnically heterogeneous, with ethnic groups originating from India, Africa, Europe, and China, as well as indigenous or aboriginal peoples.

The largest ethnic group are the Indo-Guyanese, the descendants of indentured laborers from India, who make up 39.8% of the population, according to the 2012 census. They are followed by the Afro-Guyanese, the descendants of enslaved laborers from Africa, who constitute 29.3. Guyanese of mixed heritage make up 19.9%. [4]

Currency

The Guyanese dollar is the official currency of Guyana. The currency is abbreviated as GYD and is represented by the symbols $ and G$. Banknotes are printed in G$20, G$50, G$100, G$500, G$1,000, and $5,000 denominations while coins are minted in G$1, G$5, G$10, and $100 denominations. [5]

Electricity

Guyana operates on a 120/240V supply voltage and 60Hz. The electricity sector in Guyana is dominated by Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the state-owned vertically integrated utility.

Tigri

The Tigri region is a forested area disputed by Guyana and Suriname since about 1840. This concerns the area between the Upper Corantijn River (also called the New River), the Coeroeni River and the Kutari River. River. This triangular area is known as the New River Triangle in Guyana. In 1969 the conflict escalated and since then it has been controlled by Guyana and claimed by Suriname. In 1971, both governments agreed that they would continue discussions on the border issue and withdraw their armed forces from the disputed triangle. Guyana has never adhered to this agreement. In Suriname it is considered part of the Coeroeni Resort located in the Sipaliwini District, while Guyana considers it part of the East Berbice-Corantijn region.