Guyana (0)

Guyana

Guyana is officially named the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and it is in South America. Its capital is a Georgetown and presdient Bharrat Jagdeo. The population is about 738,000. Guyana is bordered to the east by Suriname, to the south and southwest by Brazil and to the west by Venezuela. It is the third smallest country on the mainland of South America. Culturally it is more associated with the Caribbean than with Latin America and is the only English speaking country in South America.
Guyana is an Amerindian word meaning " Land of many waters " beacause of its rain forests dissected by numerous rivers , creeks and waterfalls , including the famous Kaieteur Falls . The country enjoys a diverse , multicultural society, high floral and faunal biodiversity, prize-winning rum, and Demerara sugar . Guyana is a major breeding area for sea turtles and other wildlife. The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid.
The major religions in Guyana are Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and other minor different faiths. Most Guyanese Christians are Protestants and include a mix of all races . Hinduism is dominated by the Indians who came to the country in the early 1800s, while Islam varies between Afro-Guyanese and Indian -Guyanese.
When the first Europeans arrived in the area around 1500, Guyana was inhabited by the Arawak and Carib tribes of American Indians. Although Guyana was first sighted by Christopher Columbus during his third voyage in 1498 . In 1831 the three separate colonies became a single British colony known as British Guiana. Escaped slaves formed their own settlements known as Maroon communities, but with the abolition of slavery in 1834 many of the former slaves began to settle in urban areas.
During the Second World War, the United States arranged for its airforce to use British airports in South America, including those in British Guiana.
Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 and became a republic on 23 February 1970.
The main economic activities in Guyana are agriculture , bauxite mining , gold mining, timber, shrimp fishing and minerals. The sugar industry, which accounts for 28% of all export earnings, is largely run by Guysuco, which employs more people than any other industry.
The production of balatá (natural latex) was once big business in Guyana, but most of the trees in the area were destroyed by illicit bleeding methods that involved cutting down the trees rather than making incisions in them. Folk uses of balatá included the making of homegrown cricket balls, the temporarily filling of troublesome tooth cavities, and the crafting of figurines and other decorative items .
Guyana shares similar interests with the islands in the West Indies, such as food, festive events, music, sports, etc. Guyanese cuisine has many similarities to the Caribbean. The food is diverse and includes dishes such as chicken curry, roti and cookup rice (a style of rice with different kinds of vegetables accompanied by chicken, beef or fish ). The food reflects the ethnic make up of the country and its colonial history, and includes dishes from the Africans and creoles, East Indians, Amerindians, Chinese , and Europeans, mostly British and Portuguese. There is an abundance of fresh fruits , vegetables and seafood on the coast. Most people use fresh fruit to make their own beverages , which are called "local drink ." Fresh fish and seafood are an integral part of the food of the rural areas and small villages along the coast. They also like a crab soup.
Guyana plays international cricket as a part of the West Indies cricket team, and the Guyana team plays first class cricket against other nations of the Caribbean. Guyana played host to international cricket matches as part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. But they also play a softball cricket and football . The minor sports are netball, rounders, lawn tennis , basketball, table tennis, boxing, squash, and a few others . Another aspect of Guyanese culture is its rich folklore about Jumbees.