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Guyana

Capital:Georgetown
Population:748,486
Currency:Guyana Dollar (GYD)
Language:English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Kaieteur Falls -- Georgetown

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Guyana.

Guyana Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Guyanese have a great sense of humor and love to tease one another. This is seen at social gatherings and even on solemn occasions such as funerals. Their humor is not meant to be unkind or to ridicule. It is intended to break the ice, cover up more serious emotions or simply to have fun.

Religion is central to Guyanese people's lives

Cultural Attributes

Guyanese have a great sense of humor and love to tease one another. This is seen at social gatherings and even on solemn occasions such as funerals. Their humor is not meant to be unkind or to ridicule. It is intended to break the ice, cover up more serious emotions or simply to have fun. Religion is central to Guyanese people's lives.

Kaieteur Falls -- Georgetown

Land of Many Waters

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Guyanese love to illustrate what they say through proverbs. The proverbs are a rich legacy from the many different cultures for example:

"Cat ta ketch rat but ee teef ee masta fish"- The same person is capable of both good and evil deeds.

"Every best friend's gat a next best friend"- Your secrets are spread from one best friend to another.

"You can't plant plantain and reap cassava"- You reap what you sow.

"When Mumma dead family done"- A mother keeps the family together. When she dies the members tend to scatter.

"When coconut fall from tree he can't fasten back"- What's done cannot be undone.

"Nah mine how bird vex, ee cann vex wid tree"- Even if you are frustrated with your job or home, sometimes you have no choice but to stay with it.

"All cassava get same skin but all nah taste same way"- Though people may look alike because of their mode of dress, they are different in their ways.

"Every rope gat two ends"- Every story has two sides.

"If yuh finger get sore, nah tek am and throw way"- A member of your family may turn delinquent but that does not mean that you must disown him or refuse to help him.

Guyanese talk with their hands.

It is customary for whole families to drop in unexpectedly to visit relatives. The visitors are always welcomed and are invariably offered food and drink.

Business dress is moderately casual, appropriate for a tropical climate, usually shirt and tie or “shirtjac” for men and light business suits for women.

Diet

Pepperpot is traditionally served during the Christmas holiday.

Breakfast usually consists of homemade bread with eggs, cheese, butter or a cooked vegetable and tea or coffee.

Rice is a staple of the midday meal. It is eaten with beans, vegetables and meat. Poultry and seafood are popular.

The evening meal is more elaborate. The staple may again be rice, roti, which is a flat bread, or root vegetables such as cassavas and yams. Other vegetables, meat or seafood are also eaten with the evening meal. Fresh cow's milk may be part of the morning or evening meal. Guyanese cuisine is enriched by traditional foods from every ethnic group in the country: East Indian, African, Native, Chinese and Portuguese. These dishes have been adapted to Guyanese tastes, often by the addition of spices.

Pepperpot is traditionally served during the Christmas holiday.

Breakfast usually consists of homemade bread with eggs, cheese, butter or a cooked vegetable and tea or coffee.

Rice is a staple of the midday meal. It is eaten with beans, vegetables and meat. Poultry and seafood are popular.

The evening meal is more elaborate. The staple may again be rice, roti, which is a flat bread, or root vegetables such as cassavas and yams. Other vegetables, meat or seafood are also eaten with the evening meal. Fresh cow's milk may be part of the morning or evening meal. Guyanese cuisine is enriched by traditional foods from every ethnic group in the country: East Indian, African, Native, Chinese and Portuguese. These dishes have been adapted to Guyanese tastes, often by the addition of spices.

St. George’s Anglican Cathedral

Family

Guyanese consider family to mean an extended family of parents, children, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins. Families often picnic in scenic places such as the banks of one of Guyana's many rivers. The family outing includes a "cook up" and bathing in the river. The outing may include several families related by blood or marriage as well as friends and neighbors.

Recreation

Cricket is the national sport of Guyana and is played and enjoyed by both men and women. Football (soccer), is the next most popular field game for both children and young adults. Guyanese children also engage in other sports such as volleyball, basketball, North American-style football, golf, badminton, tennis, field hockey, cycling and boxing.

The game of dominoes is almost a national passion. Men and women play this game at social gatherings and in organized competitions. A card game called trump is popular as well.

Another favorite activity for people in Georgetown is walking on the kokers, which are the dykes or sea walls built by the Dutch in the 1600's.

Holidays

  • Republic Day

    2/23

    Independence

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    From the second week of December until Christmas day masquerade street bands clad in colorfully ornate costumes dominate festivities with street dancers and dancers on stilts.

Dates of Interest

  • December 25th

    From the second week of December until Christmas day masquerade street bands clad in colorfully ornate costumes dominate festivities with street dancers and dancers on stilts.

How do people communicate and greet each other in Guyana?

Guyanese love to illustrate what they say through proverbs, a rich legacy from the country's many different cultures, and they have a great sense of humor, enjoying teasing one another.

Good to know

  • Humor and teasing appear even at solemn occasions such as funerals
  • Teasing is meant to break the ice or cover more serious emotions, not to ridicule
  • Expect proverbs like "Every rope gat two ends" (every story has two sides)

What are meals and eating customs like in Guyana?

Rice is a staple of the midday meal, while the evening meal is more elaborate and may feature rice, roti (a flat bread), or root vegetables such as cassava and yams with meat or seafood.

Good to know

  • Breakfast usually includes homemade bread with eggs, cheese, butter or a cooked vegetable and tea or coffee
  • Pepperpot is traditionally served during the Christmas holiday
  • Cuisine blends East Indian, African, Native, Chinese and Portuguese traditions, often enriched with spices
  • Poultry and seafood are popular, and fresh cow's milk may accompany the morning or evening meal

What should I know about visiting and hospitality in Guyana?

Whole families often drop in unexpectedly to visit relatives, and visitors are always welcomed and invariably offered food and drink.

Do

  • Welcome unexpected family visitors warmly
  • Offer guests food and drink

What should I wear in Guyana?

Business dress is moderately casual and suited to the tropical climate.

Good to know

  • Men typically wear a shirt and tie or a "shirtjac"
  • Women wear light business suits

How do Guyanese use gestures?

Guyanese talk with their hands.

Good to know

  • Expect expressive hand movements during conversation

What is family life like in Guyana?

Guyanese consider family to mean an extended family of parents, children, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Good to know

  • Families often picnic in scenic places such as riverbanks, with a "cook up" and bathing in the river
  • Outings may include several related families along with friends and neighbors

What do people do for recreation in Guyana?

Cricket is the national sport, played and enjoyed by both men and women, and dominoes is almost a national passion.

Good to know

  • Football (soccer) is the next most popular field game
  • Other sports include volleyball, basketball, golf, tennis, cycling and boxing
  • A card game called trump is popular
  • In Georgetown, walking on the kokers (Dutch-built sea walls) is a favorite activity

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Guyana

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
Guyanese dollar (GYD)
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Guyana's climate is typical of most tropical countries. Humidity ranges from an average low of 68% in October to 77% in May, and an average high of 79% in October to 86% in May through August. The average annual mean (AAM) is 73% in the afternoons and 83% in the mornings. Minimum temperatures in Georgetown, on the coast, range between 22-26°C (71-80°F) year around, with an AAM low of 75. Maximum temperatures range between 28-32°C (83-90°F), year around, with an AAM high of 86. The sea breezes (east-northeast trade winds) significantly mitigate the heat on the coast. The coastal area typically has two wet seasons: May to mid-August, when about 40% of the total annual precipitation falls, and December to mid-January, which receive another 20%. However, occasional rain may fall at any time of the year. Georgetown and the coast average 90 inches of rainfall annually; in the interior, 60-150 inches occur.
Airports
49
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Roti (Flatbread)

Bread

Browse all 5 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Amerindian Era

    5000 BCE – 1616

    For thousands of years before European contact, the Guiana region was inhabited by Arawak, Carib, and other Amerindian peoples who developed complex societies along its rivers and coasts. Christopher Columbus sighted the territory in 1498, but Spanish explorers largely bypassed it. The Amerindian population was devastated by disease, conflict, and displacement following sustained European contact.

  2. Dutch Colonial Period

    1616 – 1814

    The Dutch established the first permanent European settlement at Essequibo in 1616, followed by the colonies of Berbice and Demerara. Dutch engineers drained the swampy coastline with an elaborate system of dikes and canals, enabling a plantation economy built on sugarcane and enslaved African labor. The three colonies changed hands repeatedly among British, French, and Dutch powers during the Napoleonic Wars before final British conquest in 1803.

  3. British Guiana

    1814 – 1966

    The Treaty of Paris in 1814 formally ceded the colonies to Britain, and they were consolidated into British Guiana in 1831. The abolition of slavery in 1834–1838 prompted the large-scale importation of indentured laborers from India, China, and elsewhere, fundamentally reshaping the colony's ethnic composition. The early twentieth century saw rising political consciousness among Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese communities, culminating in the turbulent path to self-government in the 1950s and eventual independence in 1966.

  4. Burnham Era

    1966 – 1985

    Linden Forbes Burnham led Guyana as Prime Minister and later executive President, steering the country toward a socialist-cooperative republic model declared in 1970. His government nationalized major industries, including the sugar and bauxite sectors, and adopted a Marxist-Leninist economic framework that produced prolonged economic decline and shortages. Political repression, electoral fraud, and deepening ethnic polarization between Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese communities defined this authoritarian period.

  5. Transition & Reform

    1985 – 1992

    Following Burnham's death in 1985, Desmond Hoyte assumed the presidency and began cautiously reversing the failed socialist policies, reopening Guyana to foreign investment and IMF-guided economic reform. Despite these shifts, political dominance by the People's National Congress and widespread allegations of electoral manipulation persisted. This period represented an unstable interlude between authoritarianism and genuine democratic competition.

  6. Democratic Modern Era

    1992 – present

    The 1992 election of Cheddi Jagan is recognized as Guyana's first free and fair election since independence, marking a democratic turning point. Subsequent governments under Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo maintained democratic succession while navigating persistent ethnic tensions and economic underdevelopment. The early twenty-first century brought renewed optimism, culminating in major offshore oil discoveries that positioned Guyana as one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Overview

Amerindian wood carving MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS after gaining independence, Guyana retained the clear imprint of its colonial past. Sighted by Columbus during his third voyage, the area was virtually ignored by later Spanish explorers and conquistadors. The first European settlers were the Dutch, who established a trading post in 1616. The native Carib and Awarak peoples were killed by disease or conflict over the land or forced into the interior. The Dutch, realizing the agricultural potential of the swampy coast, drained the land with a network of dikes and canals. In the 1700s, the three Dutch colonies in present-day Guyana grew and prospered with plantation economies based on sugarcane and slave labor. Increasing number of British settlers were also drawn to the area in the second half of the eighteenth century. Dutch rule ended in 1814 when the colonies were awarded to Britain following the Napoleonic wars. Much of British rule in the 1800s was simply a continuation of the policies of the Dutch. Consolidated into one colony--British Guiana--in 1831, the sugar-based economy continued to expand, and when emancipation was completed in 1838 other ethnic groups, most notably from India, were imported to work the plantations. The 1900s saw an increased political awareness of the varied ethnic groups and a slow transfer of political power from the old plantocracy and colonial administration to the Afro-Guyanese and the Indo-Guyanese. Amid growing polarization between these two groups, self-government was granted in the 1950s. Political conflict between the Afro-Guyanese and the Indo-Guyanese, sometimes marked with violence, caused the British to delay independence until 1966. Since independence, two characteristics have dominated Guyanese society and politics: the presence of strong political personalities (Cheddi Jagan, Linden Forbes Burnham, and Hugh Desmond Hoyte) and ethnic and racial divisions based on mutual suspicion and manipulation by these strong personalities. Ideology played a large part in the newly independent country’s approach to economic development. The initial selection of a Marxist-Leninist economic system was motivated by a desire to break with the capitalist past. But authoritarian rule by one dominant political personality and continued ethnic tension undermined the crafting of a coherent or pragmatic development strategy. Independent Guyana’s history under its first prime minister, Forbes Burnham, is one of political confrontation and long economic decline. Desmond Hoyte’s tenure appeared to represent a departure from the economic and authoritarian policies of his predecessor, but in 1991 it was unclear if the historical patterns of personal political dominance and ethnic tension could be changed.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1498

    Christopher Columbus sights Guyana.

    Christopher Columbus sights Guyana.

  2. 1581

    Dutch begin settling on the Pomeroon River

    Dutch begin settling on the Pomeroon River

  3. 1581

    Dutch begin settling on the Pomeroon River

    Sir Walter Raleigh explored the South American coast from the Orinoco River to the mouth of the Amazon, an area that he called “Guiana.”

  4. 1616

    The Dutch became the first to establish colonies in Guyana with Essequibo.

    The Dutch became the first to establish colonies in Guyana with Essequibo. Berbice followed in 1627, and then Demerara in 1752.

  5. 1620

    Dutch West India Company establishes a foothold in Guyana.

    Dutch West India Company establishes a foothold in Guyana, including armed bases, and imports slaves from Africa to work on the sugar plantations.

  6. 1781

    British temporarily seize all 3 of the Dutch colonies.

    British temporarily seize all 3 of the Dutch colonies; Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.

  7. 1783

    French temporarily seize the colonies.

    French temporarily seize the colonies.

View full timeline (21 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • The word Guyana takes its name from a Native word, Guyana, meaning, land of many waters.

  • Guyana's most famous tourist attraction, the Kaieteur Falls, is among the five biggest waterfalls in the world. It is 250 m high, higher than Niagara Falls, and 100 m wide in the rainy season. It is surrounded by thick forest.

  • The famous English explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh, visited Guyana in 1595. He believed that El Dorado, a legendary city where even the streets were made of gold, existed somewhere in Guyana. His book describing Guyana's riches inspired many Europeans to seek their fortunes there.

  • Guyana has the most unusual racial mix in South America. It is woven into every aspect of life in Guyana. For example, there are places with Dutch and Spanish names. Hindu temples and mosque domes can be seen, and you can hear calypso music, which is a blend of African rhythm and Spanish and native melodies.

  • Guyana's Omai Gold Mine is the largest open-pit gold mine in South America.

  • Canada is currently the number one foreign investor in Guyana. It has been trading with Guyana since the 1920s.

Premium Content

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Geography and Environment

Guyana lies on the northern coast of South America. Its 285-mile coastline extends from Punta Playa (near the mouth of the Orinoco River) in the northwest to the Corentyne River in the east. The low-lying coastland, one of Guyana's three geographic regions, is a flat, often swampy strip of silt and clay about 5-1/2 feet below sea level at high tide. Man-made concrete walls and earthen barriers keep the ocean back and prevent floods. Canals with sluice gates permit drainage to the rivers, and at low tide, to the sea. Most of the country's population and agricultural activity are concentrated in this narrow coastal strip between the Pomeroon and Corentyne Rivers. The mountain region includes the Pakaraima Range, which lies along the western boundary between the Waini and Rupununi Rivers; a sandstone plateau 22 miles long and more than 9,000 feet above sea level; and the Kanaku Mountains, which lie on both sides of the Rupununi River near the Brazilian border. The intermediate region, to the east and south of the coastal and mountain regions, is the largest of the three areas. It is mainly tropical forest and jungle, except for the Rupununi savanna on the southwestern border with Brazil. Large rivers and their tributaries form a vast network of waterways. Rapids and falls hinder navigation and development along the larger rivers. The principal rivers are the Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice, and Corentyne. The Cuyuni, Mazaruni, and Rupununi are major tributaries of the Essequibo River.
Terrain
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Climate
Guyana's climate is typical of most tropical countries. Humidity ranges from an average low of 68% in October to 77% in May, and an average high of 79% in October to 86% in May through August. The average annual mean (AAM) is 73% in the afternoons and 83% in the mornings. Minimum temperatures in Georgetown, on the coast, range between 22-26°C (71-80°F) year around, with an AAM low of 75. Maximum temperatures range between 28-32°C (83-90°F), year around, with an AAM high of 86. The sea breezes (east-northeast trade winds) significantly mitigate the heat on the coast. The coastal area typically has two wet seasons: May to mid-August, when about 40% of the total annual precipitation falls, and December to mid-January, which receive another 20%. However, occasional rain may fall at any time of the year. Georgetown and the coast average 90 inches of rainfall annually; in the interior, 60-150 inches occur.
Natural Hazards
flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Current Environmental Issues
water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

  • Creole
  • Hindi
  • Urdu

Population

Population
748,486
Population in Major Urban Areas
GEORGETOWN (capital) 127,000
Nationality Noun
Guyanese (singular and plural)
Ethnic Groups
East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%

Education

Literacy Definition
Age 15 and over has ever attended school

Health Information

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
Very high
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Guyana
Full Country Name
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Former Name
British Guiana

Government Structure

Government Type
republic within the Commonwealth
Legal System
based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); note - ALI won the March 2020 general elections after a prolonged electoral dispute; the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) returned to power following a recount process overseen by international observers head of government: President Irfaan ALI serves as both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020), appointed by the president, assists in executive functions cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years; elections last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held by 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Irfaan ALI elected president; the PPP/C received approximately 50.7% of the vote, defeating the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition
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) elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held by 4 August 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 52.9%, PNC/R 41.9%, GAP/WPA 2.4%, ROAR 0.9%, TUF 0.7%, other 1.2%; seats by party - PPP/C 34, PNC/R 27, GAP/WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
6-Oct-80
Independence
26 May 1966 (from UK)
National Holiday
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Capital City

Capital Name
Georgetown
Capital - geographic coordinate
6 48 N, 58 09 W
Capital Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

When the British took possession of the town from the Dutch in 1812, they renamed it Georgetown in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)

Military

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

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown

100 Young & Duke Streets

Georgetown, Guyana

Telephone: 011-592-225-4900

Emergency after-hours telephone: 011-592-623-1992

Facsimile: 011-592- 227-0221

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Economy

Guyana's economy has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, driven primarily by the rapid development of its offshore oil and gas sector. Following the start of commercial oil production in late 2019 from the prolific Stabroek Block operated by ExxonMobil, Guyana has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. GDP growth reached approximately 62 percent in 2022 and an estimated 33 percent in 2023, with continued double-digit expansion projected as additional production vessels come online.

Beyond the petroleum boom, the economy remains supported by traditional sectors including gold and bauxite mining, agriculture (notably rice and sugar), forestry, and fisheries. The government has channeled growing oil revenues into infrastructure modernization, healthcare, education, and energy projects, including the Gas-to-Energy initiative aimed at lowering electricity costs.

Despite the windfall, Guyana faces persistent challenges. These include a shortage of skilled labor, infrastructure deficiencies, vulnerability to climate change and flooding, and the risk of Dutch disease, where the oil sector could overshadow non-oil industries. Managing inflation, ensuring transparent use of the Natural Resource Fund, and promoting inclusive growth remain key policy priorities. Income inequality and poverty reduction also continue to require sustained attention as the country navigates its unprecedented economic expansion.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Guyana Dollar (GYD)
GDP — official exchange rate
$782,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
-2.5%

Banknotes

Guyana Money - Front
Guyana Money - Front
Guyana Money - Back
Guyana Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$362,600,000 (USD)
External Debt
$1,200,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
36.2%
Economic Aid
$253,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
-$92,720,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$248,800,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture NA%; industry NA%; services NA%
Industries
bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Agriculture Products
sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish (shrimp)
Export Commodities
sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber
Export Partners
Canada 26.3%, US 22.3%, UK 13%, Jamaica 5.1%, Portugal 5.1%, Belgium 4.2% 0
Import Commodities
manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
Import Partners
US 25.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Netherlands Antilles 13.7%, Italy 6.6%, UK 5.5%, Cuba 4.4% 0

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
11,300 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
General assessment: Fair system for long-distance service; microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services Domestic: Fixed-line teledensity is about 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 70 per 100 persons in 2011 International: Country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.gy

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

Guyana's climate is typical of most tropical countries. Humidity ranges from an average low of 68% in October to 77% in May, and an average high of 79% in October to 86% in May through August. The average annual mean (AAM) is 73% in the afternoons and 83% in the mornings. Minimum temperatures in Georgetown, on the coast, range between 22-26°C (71-80°F) year around, with an AAM low of 75. Maximum temperatures range between 28-32°C (83-90°F), year around, with an AAM high of 86. The sea breezes (east-northeast trade winds) significantly mitigate the heat on the coast.

The coastal area typically has two wet seasons: May to mid-August, when about 40% of the total annual precipitation falls, and December to mid-January, which receive another 20%. However, occasional rain may fall at any time of the year. Georgetown and the coast average 90 inches of rainfall annually; in the interior, 60-150 inches occur.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Guyana?
The population of Guyana is approximately 748,486.
How do people communicate and greet each other in Guyana?
Guyanese love to illustrate what they say through proverbs, a rich legacy from the country's many different cultures, and they have a great sense of humor, enjoying teasing one another. Humor and teasing appear even at solemn occasions such as funerals Teasing is meant to break the ice or cover more serious emotions, not to ridicule Expect proverbs like "Every rope gat two ends" (every story has two sides)
What are meals and eating customs like in Guyana?
Rice is a staple of the midday meal, while the evening meal is more elaborate and may feature rice, roti (a flat bread), or root vegetables such as cassava and yams with meat or seafood. Breakfast usually includes homemade bread with eggs, cheese, butter or a cooked vegetable and tea or coffee Pepperpot is traditionally served during the Christmas holiday Cuisine blends East Indian, African, Native, Chinese and Portuguese traditions, often enriched with spices Poultry and seafood are popular, and fresh cow's milk may accompany the morning or evening meal
What should I know about visiting and hospitality in Guyana?
Whole families often drop in unexpectedly to visit relatives, and visitors are always welcomed and invariably offered food and drink. Do: Welcome unexpected family visitors warmly Offer guests food and drink
What should I wear in Guyana?
Business dress is moderately casual and suited to the tropical climate. Men typically wear a shirt and tie or a "shirtjac" Women wear light business suits
How do Guyanese use gestures?
Guyanese talk with their hands. Expect expressive hand movements during conversation
What is family life like in Guyana?
Guyanese consider family to mean an extended family of parents, children, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins. Families often picnic in scenic places such as riverbanks, with a "cook up" and bathing in the river Outings may include several related families along with friends and neighbors
What do people do for recreation in Guyana?
Cricket is the national sport, played and enjoyed by both men and women, and dominoes is almost a national passion. Football (soccer) is the next most popular field game Other sports include volleyball, basketball, golf, tennis, cycling and boxing A card game called trump is popular In Georgetown, walking on the kokers (Dutch-built sea walls) is a favorite activity
What is the capital of Guyana?
Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana, situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Demerara River. Founded during the period of British colonial rule, it serves as the country's political, commercial, and cultural hub. Georgetown is notable for its wooden colonial architecture, including the landmark St. George's Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world. The city sits largely below sea level and relies on a centuries-old system of seawalls and drainage canals to manage flooding.
Where is Guyana located?
Guyana is located on the northeastern coast of South America, making it the only English-speaking country on the continent. It lies just north of the equator, bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its South American geography, Guyana shares strong cultural and historical ties with the Caribbean, and it is often considered part of the Caribbean Community. The country's name is derived from a Native Amerindian word meaning "land of many waters," a fitting description of its river-rich landscape.
What countries border Guyana?
Guyana shares land borders with three countries. Venezuela lies to the west, Brazil to the south and southwest, and Suriname to the east. The northern boundary is formed by the Atlantic Ocean. Long-standing territorial disputes, particularly with Venezuela over the Essequibo region — which makes up roughly two-thirds of Guyana's territory — have defined much of the country's foreign relations history and remain an active geopolitical issue.
What is the main religion practiced in Guyana?
Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Guyana, followed by approximately 50% of the population. Hinduism is the second largest faith, practiced by around 35% of Guyanese, largely among communities descended from South Asian indentured laborers brought to the country during the British colonial period. Islam accounts for roughly 10% of the population. Religion holds a central place in everyday Guyanese life, and this religious diversity reflects the country's complex multicultural heritage.
What is the currency of Guyana?
The official currency of Guyana is the Guyana Dollar, with the ISO currency code GYD. The Guyana Dollar replaced the British West Indian Dollar following independence and has been the national currency since 1966. In recent years, the discovery of significant offshore oil reserves has brought increased economic attention to Guyana, placing new pressures and opportunities on its monetary and fiscal systems. The economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, particularly sugar and rice production.
What language is spoken in Guyana?
English is the official language of Guyana and is used in government, education, and the media — a legacy of more than 150 years of British colonial rule. In daily life, most Guyanese speak Guyanese Creole, an English-based creole language that blends African, South Asian, and Indigenous linguistic influences. Hindi and Urdu are spoken within Indo-Guyanese communities, and various Amerindian dialects are used among Indigenous peoples in the interior. This linguistic diversity mirrors the country's multiethnic population.
What is the geography of Guyana like?
Guyana covers an area of approximately 214,969 square kilometres, making it one of the smaller nations in South America by area. The country's terrain is strikingly varied: a narrow, fertile coastal plain gives way to dense tropical rainforest covering much of the interior, while the southern and western regions rise into savannas and highlands. The Pakaraima Mountains in the west include Mount Roraima, one of the continent's most dramatic tepui plateaus. Guyana's vast interior remains largely undeveloped and is among the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
What is Guyana known for?
Guyana is known internationally for Kaieteur Falls, one of the world's most powerful waterfalls, standing 250 metres high — nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls — and surrounded by pristine rainforest. The country is also recognized for its diverse Creole cuisine, including dishes such as pepperpot, a slow-cooked meat stew with Indigenous roots. Guyana gained renewed global attention following major offshore oil discoveries in the 2010s that rapidly transformed its economy. The 16th-century legend of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold believed by English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh to lie within Guyana's interior, remains part of the country's enduring mystique.

Last reviewed 2026

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