Discover Fascinating Guyana Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Guyana.

Guyana

Background

Guyana's Exciting History! ๐ŸŒ

Did you know that Guyana was first a Dutch colony back in the 17th century? That's over 300 years ago! By 1815, it had turned into a British possession. Fast forward to 1966, and Guyana proudly became independent from the UK! ๐ŸŽ‰

Since gaining independence, Guyana has had governments that lean mostly towards socialism. What makes this country really special is that it's the only English-speaking nation in all of South America! Guyana also shares rich cultural and historical connections with the Anglophone Caribbean. Isn't that fascinating? ๐Ÿค”

Colonial Timeline

Dutch colony in 17th century, British possession by 1815, Independent in 1966

Unique Language Status

Only English-speaking country in South America

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒ Guyana has some cool exports! Here's what they're sending out to the world in 2022:

  • Crude Petroleum: This is one of the biggest exports! ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Gold: Shiny and valuable! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Rice: Delicious and nutritious! ๐Ÿš
  • Aluminum Ore: A key ingredient for making aluminum products! ๐Ÿ”„
  • Liquor: A fun export for celebrations! ๐Ÿน

These commodities show how diverse Guyana's economy is! Can you guess which one of these is the most exported? ๐Ÿค”

Major export commodities from Guyana in 2022

Crude Petroleum, Gold, Rice, Aluminum Ore, Liquor

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at Guyana's export partners from 2022! Each country plays a unique role in trading with Guyana. Hereโ€™s how they stack up:

  • Panama tops the list with a whopping 32% of exports! ๐Ÿšข
  • Netherlands comes next with 15%.
  • The US is a significant partner too, accounting for 13%.
  • Both UAE and Italy contribute 6% each to Guyana's exports. ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

This distribution shows how important these partners are in helping Guyana trade its goods around the world! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Total Export Contribution Percentage

100%

Highest Export Partner

Panama - 32%

Second Highest Export Partner

Netherlands - 15%

Lowest Export Partners

UAE and Italy - 6% each

Export Partners of Guyana in 2022

Capital

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Welcome to Georgetown! It's not just any capital; it's the beating heart of Guyana! ๐Ÿ™๏ธ This vibrant city is famous for its unique blend of historical architecture and lush greenery. From the stunning St. Georges Cathedral to the lively markets, Georgetown has a lot to offer both locals and visitors alike. ๐ŸŒณโœจ

Imports - commodities

๐Ÿšข Guyana imports a variety of essential commodities that keep the country's economy buzzing! In 2022, some key imports included:

  • Refined Petroleum: A vital energy source for the nation.
  • Valves: Helpful for managing flow and pressure in various systems.
  • Iron Pipes: Crucial for construction and infrastructure.
  • Construction Vehicles: Machinery that helps build and develop.
  • Cars: For transportation and personal mobility.

These commodities play a significant role in everyday life in Guyana, boosting both the economy and quality of life! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿš—

Climate

๐ŸŒด Guyana's climate is all about that tropical vibe! โ˜€๏ธ It's hot and humid, which is what you can expect in a tropical paradise. The climate is kept nice and breezy thanks to the northeast trade winds. ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ

Rain lovers will be happy to know that Guyana experiences two rainy seasons: One from May to August and another from November to January. So grab your umbrellas! โ˜”

Executive branch

๐ŸŒŸ The Executive branch of Guyana is led by a very important figure: the President! ๐ŸŒŸ Currently, President Mohammed Irfaan ALI is at the helm since August 2, 2020. That makes him both the chief of state and head of government. How cool is that? ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡พ Let's see how long he can lead the nation and what exciting changes may happen during his time! ๐Ÿš€

Current President

Mohammed Irfaan ALI

In Office Since

2 August 2020

Legislative branch

In Guyana, the legislative branch is represented by a unicameral National Assembly. This means there is only one chamber where all the important discussions and decisions take place! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ There are 70 seats in the National Assembly, allowing a diverse group of representatives to contribute to the laws and governance of the country.

Total seats in National Assembly

70 seats

Natural resources

๐ŸŒŸ Guyana's Rich Natural Resources ๐ŸŒŸ

Guyana is blessed with a variety of natural resources that contribute significantly to its economy! Here's a glimpse of what this vibrant country has to offer:

  • Bauxite: An important component used in making aluminum.
  • Gold: Guyana is known for its gold mining, which plays a crucial role in its exports. ๐Ÿช™
  • Diamonds: These precious gems are another significant resource, attracting both local and international investors. ๐Ÿ’Ž
  • Hardwood Timber: The lush forests of Guyana provide high-quality hardwood timber, used in furniture and construction. ๐ŸŒณ
  • Shrimp and Fish: The coastal and river systems are home to abundant shrimp and fish, vital for both local cuisine and exports! ๐Ÿค๐ŸŸ

With such a diverse collection of natural treasures, Guyana is truly a land of opportunity! ๐Ÿš€

Economic overview

๐ŸŒ Guyana is a small but vibrant country with a hydrocarbon-driven economy, which means it heavily relies on oil and gas for its exports! ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ The country is also blessed with vast forests ๐ŸŒณ, which are being used creatively. They leverage these forest areas to sell carbon credit offsets, encouraging people to preserve these beautiful environments! ๐ŸŒฟ

Furthermore, Guyana is witnessing a strengthening financial sector ๐Ÿ’ช, making it an exciting place for business and investment. The country is rich in natural resources, especially bauxite and gold, adding to its potential for economic growth. ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Economic Drivers

Hydrocarbon, Forest Coverage, Bauxite, Gold

Government type

Guyana is a parliamentary republic! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡พ This means that the countryโ€™s government is elected by the people and is responsible to the parliament. The head of state is different from the head of government, which is a unique and interesting way to run a country! ๐ŸŽ‰

Government type

Parliamentary republic

Ethnic groups

๐ŸŒ Guyana is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, and its ethnic groups reflect that diversity! Hereโ€™s a look at the main ethnic communities:

  • East Indian: 39.8%
  • African descent: 29.3%
  • Mixed: 19.9%
  • Indigenous: 10.5%
  • Other: 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White)

Isn't it fascinating how the ethnic fabric of Guyana is woven together? Each group adds unique traditions, languages, and delicious foods to the country's culture! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total percentage of East Indian

39.8%

Total percentage of African descent

29.3%

Total percentage of mixed ethnicities

19.9%

Total percentage of Indigenous people

10.5%

Total percentage of Other ethnicities

0.5%

Ethnic Group Distribution in Guyana

Religions

In Guyana, the tapestry of religions is vibrant and diverse! ๐ŸŒโœจ Hereโ€™s how the population identifies:

  • Protestant: 34.8%
    • Pentecostal: 22.8%
    • Seventh Day Adventist: 5.4%
    • Anglican: 5.2%
    • Methodist: 1.4%
  • Hindu: 24.8%
  • Other Christian: 20.8%
  • Roman Catholic: 7.1%
  • Muslim: 6.8%
  • Jehovah's Witness: 1.3%
  • Rastafarian: 0.5%
  • Other: 0.9%
  • None: 3.1%

These percentages showcase a rich blend of faiths that reflect the cultural heritage of Guyana. ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡พ Each group contributes uniquely to the country's identity, revealing just how much diversity enriches the community.

Total percentage of Protestant population

34.8%

Percentage of Hindu population

24.8%

Percentage of Other Christian population

20.8%

Percentage of Roman Catholic population

7.1%

Percentage of Muslim population

6.8%

Percentage of Jehovah's Witness population

1.3%

Percentage of Rastafarian population

0.5%

Percentage of Other religions

0.9%

Percentage of population with no religion

3.1%

Religious Distribution in Guyana

Languages

๐ŸŒ In Guyana, a vibrant tapestry of languages comes together! The official language is English ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง, making communication easy for visitors and locals alike. But that's just the beginning! There are also Guyanese Creole which reflects the rich culture of the region. ๐Ÿ˜„

Additionally, youโ€™ll find various Amerindian languages spoken among indigenous communities, including Caribbean and Arawak languages. ๐Ÿชถ In areas with Indian influence, languages like Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi, ๐Ÿ•Œ can be heard as well.

Lastly, a little surprise: Chinese is spoken as well, indicating the diverse population! ๐Ÿ‰ This melting pot of languages makes Guyana a unique place to explore!

Official Language

English

Languages Spoken

Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages, Indian languages, Chinese

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at Guyana's import partners! In 2022, Guyana received goods from various countries, and here's how it stacked up:

  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States - 28% of imports
  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China - 14% of imports
  • ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Brazil - 7% of imports
  • ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡น Trinidad and Tobago - 7% of imports
  • ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ท Suriname - 4% of imports

Isn't it interesting how much Guyana relies on these different countries for products? ๐Ÿ“ฆโœจ Based on the percentages, we can see the USA is the largest partner by far! Let's visualize this with a pie chart to make it easier to understand. ๐Ÿฐ

Total Import Percentage

100%

Top Import Partner

United States at 28%

Second Import Partner

China at 14%

Countries with Equal Imports

Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago at 7%

Percentage from Next Largest Partner

Suriname at 4%

Guyana Import Partners (2022)

Population

๐ŸŒ Guyana's Population: The total population of Guyana is 794,099! That's a lot of people creating a vibrant culture and community. Imagine all the smiles, stories, and unique traditions that exist in this beautiful South American country! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡พ

Total Population of Guyana

794,099

Area

๐ŸŒ Let's explore the stunning area of Guyana! This vibrant country boasts a total area of 214,969 sq km. Out of this, 196,849 sq km is land, while 18,120 sq km is covered in water. That's a lot of beautiful landscapes and river views! ๐Ÿž๏ธ๐Ÿ’ง

Total Area of Guyana

214969 sq km

Land Area of Guyana

196849 sq km

Water Area of Guyana

18120 sq km

Area Composition of Guyana

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's take a closer look at Guyana's Real GDP (purchasing power parity) over the past few years! This valuable indicator helps us understand the economy's performance. Check out these figures:

  • 2021: $18.647 billion
  • 2022: $30.476 billion
  • 2023: $40.539 billion

As you can see, Guyana's economy has shown tremendous growth! From 2021 to 2023, the GDP nearly doubled. ๐Ÿคฉ Keep reading to see how we can visualize this amazing economic journey!

Real GDP in 2021

18.647 billion USD

Real GDP in 2022

30.476 billion USD

Real GDP in 2023

40.539 billion USD

Guyana's Real GDP Over Years

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒŸ Let's dive into the Real GDP per capita of Guyana! This number tells us how much money each person would have if all the country's wealth were shared equally. It's like sharing a big cake! ๐Ÿฐ

Hereโ€™s how itโ€™s looking over the past few years:

  • In 2021, the GDP per capita was $23,200.
  • In 2022, it rose to $37,700. Thatโ€™s quite a jump! ๐Ÿš€
  • By 2023, it soared to $49,800! ๐ŸŽ‰

This shows that Guyanaโ€™s economy is growing, and that's something to celebrate! ๐ŸŽˆ

GDP per capita in 2021

23,200

GDP per capita in 2022

37,700

GDP per capita in 2023

49,800

Real GDP per Capita in Guyana (2021-2023)

Imports

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the imports for Guyana! ๐Ÿ“ฆ These numbers tell us how much goods the country brought in over the last few years. Here's the data for the last three years:

  • 2020: $3.756 billion
  • 2021: $6.611 billion
  • 2022: $7.067 billion

As you can see, Guyana's imports have been steadily increasing! ๐Ÿ“ˆ It's a sign of growth and more goods coming into the country for people to enjoy. Imagine all the cool products and resources that are part of this trade! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Imports (2022)

$7.067 billion

Total Imports (2021)

$6.611 billion

Total Imports (2020)

$3.756 billion

Guyana's Imports Over Time

Exports

๐ŸŒ Let's dive into the exports of Guyana! Over the years, the export values have shown some exciting growth. In 2020, Guyana's exports were valued at $2.799 billion, which jumped to $4.64 billion in 2021! ๐ŸŽ‰ But that's not all, in 2022, the exports reached a whopping $11.536 billion! ๐Ÿ“ˆ It seems like Guyana's economy is booming! ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Exports in 2020

$2.799 billion

Exports in 2021

$4.64 billion

Exports in 2022

$11.536 billion

Exports of Guyana Over Years

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒฑ Guyana's population is growing at a rate of 0.32% for the year 2024! This shows that more and more people are calling this beautiful country home. ๐ŸŒ Keep an eye on this number as it can impact various aspects of life in Guyana, like the economy and community services!

Population Growth Rate (2024 Est.)

0.32%