Geography
Guyana
is 216,000 square kilometers in area (83,000 square miles). The
country has four distinct geographical areas: the coastal belt,
the forested interior, the savannah zone, and the sandy zone.
Over 80% of the land area is still forested, and only 2.5% is
cultivated. The country's coastline lies 1 to 1.5 meters below
sea level at high tide necessitating elaborate systems of drainage
canals. The most valuable mineral deposits are bauxite, gold and
diamonds. The main rivers are the Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.
Climate
Guyana's
climate is equatorial: hot but pleasant for most of the year,
with a mean shade temperature of 27C and an average temperature
range of 24C to 31C (75F to 87F). The heat is tempered by the
sea breezes on the coast. An umbrella is useful during the two
wet seasons, extending roughly through May and June, and from
December to the end of January. Rainfall 2,300mm a year in Georgetown.
Economy
The
agricultural sector accounts for half of the national GDP, producing
sugar and rice for export, with extensive timber operations and
a range of other products, from coffee to fish and fruit, and
well-respected brands of rum. Gold, bauxite and diamonds are mined.
Clothing
Lightweight,
casual clothing can be worn throughout the year.
Health
There
is a risk of malaria in certain parts of the Guyanese interior.
Consult your doctor for the required precautions if you intend
to travel there. Georgetown and coastal areas are malaria-free.
Visitors should drink bottled water; there are several local brands
which are inexpensive and widely available. Georgetown has one
public and several private hospitals, including St. Joseph's Mercy
Hospital on Parade Street, Prashads Hospital on Thomas Street,
and Davis Memorial in Lodge Back lands.
Internet
For
most customers, internet service is available nationally from
independent providers. Service is also available in most hotels
and at the many Internet Cafes which have been established across
the country.
Language
The
official language is English, often spoken with a Caribbean Creole
flavour.
Location
Guyana
is on the north-east corner of the South American continent between
latitude 1 & 9 N and 56 & 62 W. It borders Venezuela to
the west, Brazil to the south, and Surinam to the east.
Media
There
are 3 daily Newspapers: Stabroek News, The Guyana Chronicle and
Kaieteur News. The well respected Catholic Standard and The Mirror
are published weekly. There are over 20 TV stations: most rebroadcast
US (and sometimes Indian) imports; some have a strong political
slant. Voice of Guyana, Radio Roraima and 98.1 FM are the main
radio stations.
Places To Worship
The
predominant religious groups are Christians (various denominations),
Hindus and Muslims. Each are well respected in Georgetown with
their own Churches, Temples and Mosques. They are also very dominant
across the country in most villages where there are major landmarks
featuring traditional architecture of various cultures.
Population
Approximately
750,000 mostly along the coastal strip and banks of the major
rivers.
Public Holidays
New
Years Day, republic Day and Mashramani (February 23), Good Friday,
Easter Mondays, Labour Day (May 1), Independence Day (May 26)
CARICOM Day (First Monday in August) Christmas Day, Boxing Day
(December 26). The following are also public holidays but follow
a lunar calendar and thus the actual day varies annually: HINDU
HOLIDAYS- Phagwah - Spring festival (usually March) and Deepavali
- The Festival of Lights (usually November). MUSLIM HOLIDAYS -
Eid ul Fitr (end of Ramadan), Eid ul Azah and Youman Nabi.
Security
Exercise
the same safety precautions as you would in any city or unfamiliar
environment. Most areas are safe on foot by day, or by taxi at
night. Be on your guard when walking through crowds, and don't
venture by foot into low-income neighborhoods. Don't walk around
with valuables, and remember to check with your hotel for current
advice.
Telecommunications
Guyana's
country code is 592, followed by a seven digit number, for all
areas of the country. Direct dialing is available from Guyana
to any country in the world (Canada Direct - 161, USA Direct -
165, UK Direct 169). The Guyana Telephone & Telegraph company
office in Georgetown has public facilities for overseas calls.
Some local Internet Service Providers (ISP's) offer walk-internet
service at their Georgetown offices. Completion of the Americas
II cable has provided an international fibre optic link. The country
has 100% digital switching, a full range of value-added customer
services such as voicemail. Fibre network reaches most of the
coast, as does a seamless digital cellular service. Guyana has
active SMS and Voicemail on mobiles. Local phone cards are available.
Time Zone
Four
hours behind GMT; one hour ahead of EST.
Voltage
110v
in Georgetown, 220v in most other places, including parts of suburban
Georgetown.
If you require a map of Georgetown, please click the following
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