Your guide to being an expatriate in Guyana

Demographics of Guyana:

Religion Overview

The religious landscape of Guyana is dominated by Christianity, which accounts for approximately 72.7% of the population. Protestant denominations, including the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches, hold a significant majority of this figure, followed by Roman Catholics (7%) and Seventh-day Adventists (5%). Other religious communities, such as Muslims, Hindus, and Rastafarians, also exist in smaller numbers.

Major Religions

Climate

Guyana experiences a tropical rainforest climate characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and frequent rainfall. The average annual temperature is around 26°C, and annual rainfall ranges from 2000mm to 4500mm.

Economy Overview

Agriculture remains the backbone of Guyana's economy, with sugar being the country's primary export crop. Other significant agricultural products include rice, cassava, and vegetables. Mining, particularly for gold and diamonds, also contributes significantly to Guyana's GDP. Forestry, particularly for timber, and fishing are other important sectors. The country's manufacturing industry is still in its nascent stages, with secondary industries centering around food processing and the production of building materials. The service sector, including tourism, finance, and transport, is also expanding.

Key Industries

• Agriculture
• Mining
• Forestry
• Fishing

Major Companies

• Golden Breeze Holdings Inc.
• Demerara Bank Limited
• Guyana School of Agriculture
• Guyana Telegeography Network Inc.

Culture and Language Overview

Guyana's multicultural heritage has nurtured a vibrant and diverse cultural scene. English is the official language, but Guyanese Creole English, a distinctive dialect with African and European influences, is widely spoken. Other languages, including Guyanese Hindi, Mandarin, Bengali, and Portuguese, are also spoken by various ethnic communities. Local music and dance genres include Soca, Calypso, and Chutney, among others. Carnival celebrations, featuring music, parades, and costumes, are a significant cultural event held annually in Georgetown.

Cultural Highlights

• Carnival celebrations
• National Independence Day (commemorated in February)
• Linden-Soesdyk Cultural Heritage Centre
• Supply, Guyana

Geography and Landmarks Overview

Guyana's varied landscape encompasses dense rainforests, rolling hills, and a coastline stretching over 386 kilometers. The Pedro Ruiz, 226 meters high, is the country's highest mountain, while the Kaieteur Falls, standing at 226 meters, is the world's tallest single-drop waterfall. The Ann Trailer Park Beach is a popular site for swimming and sunbathing, while the one-of-a-kind Guyana's Sherees House of Wood exhibit handmade wooden creations.

Notable Landmarks

• Kaieteur Falls
• Ann Trailer Park Beach
• Guyana's Sherees House of Wood
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Burns Night
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Good Friday
• Human Rights Day
• Mashramani (December 16)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Boxing Day (December 26)
• Republic Day (February 23)
• Independence Anniversary (May 26)

Political Stability

While Guyana claims to have a stable democratic system, political instability has been an ongoing issue. The country's fluctuating economic fortunes and disputed electoral outcomes have often led to political unrest and social tensions. Issues related to corruption, economic inequality, land tenure, and criminal activities, as well as security concerns, such as high homicide rates, also present challenges to the country's political stability.