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Indicators | Guyana | UK |
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People | | |
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Human Development Index (HDI) | 99th (of 174) | 10th |
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Population (millions) | 0.8 | 58.5 |
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Population density (per km2) | 3.8 | 244.0 |
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Urban population (%) | 36.4 | 89.3 |
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Life expectancy (years) | 64.4 | 77.2 |
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Infant mortality (per 1000) | 59.0 | 6.0 |
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Growth rate (%) | 0.7 | 0.1 |
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Education | | |
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Adult literacy (%) | 98.1 | 99.0 |
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In primary education (%) | 92.8 | 99.9 |
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Economic, Health & Social | | |
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GNP (US$ per capita) | 800 | 20,870 |
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TV's (per 1000 people) | 42 | 612 |
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Radios (per 1000 people) | 494 | 1,433 |
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Daily calorie intake | 2,392 | 3,237 |
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Doctors (per 1000 people) | 33.0 | 164 |
 | | Georgetown Cathedral, the worlds tallest wooden cathedral |
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Introduction
Guyana, "the land of many rivers", is the only English speaking country in South America. Bordered by Venezuela, Brazil and Surinam on the north east Atlantic coast of the continent, it lies just north of the Equator. Having experienced both Dutch and British rule, Guyana became an independent country in 1966.
 | | The Potaro river drops over 250 metres at the spectacular Kaiteur Falls |
Slightly smaller than the UK, the landscape varies from low-lying coastal areas to 2500m highlands. The rich vegetation includes mangrove swamps, savanna and the tropical rainforest which covers over 80% of the country. One of the most dramatic waterfalls in the world, the Kaiteur Falls (three times higher than Niagara), is hidden deep inside the rainforest. Three main rivers, the Cuyuni, Mozoruni and Essequibo, join up to enter the Atlantic Ocean south west of the capital Georgetown.
 | | A typical Amerindian settlement in a clearing in the rainforest |
The Amerindians are the indigenous people, but six main groups make up the population today - half are East Indian and a third African. 90% of the population live along the coast, with other parts of the country almost uninhabited. The country has many natural resources, notably gold and bauxite. Sugar and rice are the two main crops grown and exported.
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