Terrain
Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy season (May to August, November to January)
People
Nationality: Guyanese (singular and plural)
Population: 739,903 (July 2013 est.)
Languages: English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu
Religions
Protestant 30.5% (Pentecostal 16.9%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%), Hindu 28.4%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.1%, Muslim 7.2%, other Christian 17.7%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census)
Economy
The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities—sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice—which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices.
Living Conditions
Guyana is one of the world's poorest countries. Food shortages have created widespread malnutrition. Diseases such as beriberi and malaria have become more common as problems with sanitation have increased. About one-fourth of the people live in the capital of Georgetown. Most people live in small villages and towns along the coast. Their houses are built of wood with tin roofs and are built on stilts that are eight or ten feet (about three meters) off the ground to avoid damage.
Government
Republic
US Military Presence/Support