Guyana¶

Area

South America

Guyana is a country of lush rain forests, many rivers, gorgeous waterfalls, and prize-winning rum. The name means "Land of Many Waters" and the country is characterized by a friendly multicultural society. Arawak and Carib tribes lived there when Europeans first arrived around 1500. The full European invasion did not start until the early 17th century when the Dutch established two colonies: Essequibo and Berbice. In the mid-18th century they settled the colony of Demerara but by the end of the century Britain had taken control of all three. In 1831 these three colonies were united as British Guiana, independence from Britain was achieved in 1966, and in 1970 Guyana became a republic.

Sugar exports are the largest single part of Guyana's economy and it is famous for its Demerara sugar, named for the colony it originally came from. Culturally, Guyana is very similar to english-speaking Caribbean, and in fact Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Community even though it is geographically separated from all the other Caribbean nations.

Guyana on Wikipedia