GOVERNMENT
Guyana became independent from Britain in 1966, and a "co-operative republic" in 1970 when a non-executive president replaced the governor-general. A new constitution in 1980 gave the president wide executive powers. The major parties are the People's Progressive Party, the People's National Congress and the Working People's Alliance. Under President Forbes Burnham (PNC 1964-85) Guyana followed a socialist path with extensive nationalization of industry. This was gradually relaxed under presidents Desmond Hoyte (PNC 1985-1992), Cheddi Jagan (PPP 1992-97) and Janet Jagan (PPP 1997-99). President Bharrat Jagdeo (PPP) took office in August 1999. The prime minister heads the Cabinet and a 65-member National Assembly is elected by proportional representation.
LANGUAGE
The official language is English, often spoken with a Caribbean creole flavor.
AREA
83,044 square miles, about the size of Britain. More than 80 percent of the land area is still forested and only 2.5 percent is cultivated.
POPULATION
About 775,000, mostly along the coastal strip.
CLIMATE
Guyana's climate is equatorial hot but pleasant for most of the year, with a mean shade temperature of 80 degrees and an average temperature range of 75 to 87 degrees. The heat is tempered by sea breezes on the coast. There are two wet seasons, one extending roughly through May and June, and one from December to the end of January, though rainfall patterns vary widely. Rainfall averages 60 to 80 inches a year in Georgetown.
CLOTHING
Lightweight, casual clothing can be worn throughout the year. An umbrella is useful in the rainy season.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Guyana dollar, which floats against the U.S. dollar (check for daily rates). U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be changed at banks, cambios and hotels (keep your cambio receipts, you will need to produce them to change Guyanese dollars on departure.
CREDIT CARDS
Most banks, restaurants, car rental agencies and tour operators accept major credit cards and traveler's checks.
DEPARTURE TAX
US $25 payable at the airport near the check-in desks.
DRIVING
Traffic drives on the left.
EMBASSIES AND
CONSULATES
Brazilian Embassy
Canadian High Commission
Cuban Embassy
French Consulate
Suriname Embassy
U.S. Embassy
Venezuelan Embassy
RELIGION
Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
SECURITY
Exercise the same safety precautions as you would in any city or unfamiliar environment. Avoid walking alone at night, don't walk around with valuables, and check with your hotel for current advice.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Guyana's country code is 592, followed by 2 for Georgetown. Direct dialing is available from Guyana to any country in the world (Canada Direct - 161, USA Direct - 165, UK Direct - 169). The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company office in Georgetown has public facilities for overseas calls. Some local ISPs offer walk-in Internet service at their Georgetown offices (Solutions 2000, Waterloo Street, Guyana, Net, Almond & Irving Streets; Micro Design Technology, Camp Street). Free Internet access is available to guests at the Cara hotels.
TIME ZONE
4 hours behind GMT, 1 hour ahead of EST.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
The Tourism & Hospitality
Association of Guyana
Private Sector
Commission Building,
157 Waterloo Street, Georgetown
Tel: 592 2 50807
Tel./Fax: 592 2 50817
Hotline: 592 2 56699
E-mail: tag@solutions2000.net
Website: http://www.exploreguyana.com
Ministry of Trade,
Tourism and Industry
229 South Road
Lacytown, Georgetown
Tel: 592 2 63182
Fax: 592 2 54310
GUYANA'S OVERSEAS
MISSIONS
Canada
High Commission for the
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Suite 305. 151 Slater Street Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5H3
Tel: (613) 235-7249
Fax: (613) 235-1447
United Kingdom
High Commission for the
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
3 Palace Court, Bayswater Road London W2 4LP
Tel: (171) 229-7684, 792-1178
Fax: (171) 727-9809
United States
Embassy of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
2490 Tracy Place NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 265-6900
Fax: (202) 232-1297
Consulate General of Guyana
U.N. Plaza, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 527-3232
Fax: (212) 527-3239
