Guyana is a small country, comparable in size with South Dakota, situated on the Caribbean coast of South America. It was first discovered by European explorers at the end of the 16th century, and after many battles which took place over centuries, it became a British colony in 1803. It remained as such until 1966 when it gained its independence. As a result, Guyana is the only country in South America to speak English as a first language.
The country can be divided into four main geographical regions; a hilly sandy region in the east, a swamp coastal plain in the north, the Rupununi Savannah in the south, and the tropical rainforests in the west and centre of the country.
Guyana is home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, Kaieteur Falls (822ft / 251m). The Kaieteur Falls are approximately five times higher than Niagara Falls in the US/Canada.
Capital city: Georgetown
Highest Point: Mount Roraima (9301ft / 2835m)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0ft / 0m)
Land Area: 76,003 sq. mi (196,849 sq. km)
Water Area: 6996 sq. mi (18,120 sq. km)
Total Area: 82,999 sq. mi (214,969 sq. km)
Coastline: 285 miles (459 km)
Bordering countries (3) Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela
Kaieteur Falls is one of the tallest and most powerful waterfalls in the world. Located in Kaieteur National Park, Guyana, the falls’ impressive combination of height and force make it a fearsome sight. Travellers generally visit the falls in small groups, and therefore the area is never crowded, allowing tourists to marvel at the rugged…
Located in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepui plateau. Mount Roraima is 9 miles (14km) long, and 9222ft (2810m) tall at its highest point, with 1300ft (400m) cliffs on each side of the plateau. At its summit, Roraima is largely sandstone without much vegetation, though a…