Guyana Overview Country Overview Guyana lies in the northeast of South America, bordered by Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean. There are over 1600km (965 miles) of navigable rivers in the country. The interior is either high savannah uplands, or thick, hilly jungle and forest, which occupy over 85 per cent of the country’s area. The narrow coastal strip is cultivated to produce the major cash crop, sugar. One of the most spectacular sights to be seen in the interior is the towering Kaieteur Falls along the Potaro River, five times the height of Niagara. The 19th-century wooden houses of the capital, Georgetown, are supported on stilts, and charming green boulevards laid out along the lines of the old Dutch canals give it a unique character. Some of the more impressive wooden buildings dating from the colonial past include St George’s Cathedral and the State House. Restaurants serve specialities such as Portuguese garlic pork and Amerindian pepperpot. Local rum, known as Demerara rum, is well worth trying, while the local beer is Banks. There are numerous nightclubs and bars in Georgetown. General Information Area: 214,969 sq km (83,000 sq miles). Population: 782,000 (official estimate 1999). Population Density: 3.6 per sq km. Capital: Georgetown. Population: 200,000 (1996). GEOGRAPHY: Guyana lies in the northeast of South America, bordered by Venezuela to the west, Surinam to the southeast and Brazil to the south. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east. The word ‘Guiana’ (the original Amerindian spelling) means ‘land of many waters’ and the name was well chosen, for there are over 1600km (965 miles) of navigable rivers in the country. The interior is either high savannah uplands (such as those along the Venezuelan border, called the Rupununi, and the Kanaku Mountains in the far southwest), or thick, hilly jungle and forest, which occupy over 85 per cent of the country’s area. The narrow coastal belt contains the vast majority of the population, and produces the major cash crop, sugar, and the major subsistence crop, rice. One of the most spectacular sights to be seen in the interior is the towering Kaieteur Falls along the Potaro River, five times the height of Niagara. The country has 322km (206 miles) of coastline. More than 25 per cent of the population lives in or near Georgetown. Government: Republic. Head of State: President Bharrat Jagdeo since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Samuel A Hinds since 1997. Language: English is the official language, but Creole, Hindi, Urdu and Amerindian are also spoken. Religion: 50 per cent Christian, 33 per cent Hindu, less than ten per cent Muslim. Time: GMT - 4. Electricity: 110 and 220 volts AC, 60Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available to main towns and cities. Country code: 592. Outgoing international code: 001. Mobile telephone Tri band network in use. Network providers include Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) (Tel: 267 840; Fax: 262 457; website: www.gtt.co.gy). Mobile phones can be hired from GT&T. Fax Facilities are available at the GT&T, the Bank of Guyana Building in Georgetown and hotels. Telegram Available at the GT&T and Bank of Guyana Building. Certain hotels also have facilities. Internet Internet cafes are available in Georgetown. ISPs include GT&T and GuyanaNet (website: www.guyana.net.gy). Press The daily state-owned newspaper is The Guyana Chronicle. The independent Stabroek News is published weekdays. On weekends, there is also The Mirror, The Kaieteur News and The New Nation. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.79 15.19 12.10 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No Yes Australian Yes No Yes Canadian Yes No Yes USA Yes No Yes OtherEU Yes No/1 Yes Japanese Yes No Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months beyond intended stay required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 1. nationals in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days (except nationals of Austria who do need a visa); (b) persons of Guyanese birth with foreign passports provided their passports clearly indicate place of birth or they have other satisfactory documentary evidence; (c) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Korea (Rep), Korea (Dem Rep), Montserrat, New Zealand, Norway, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, South Africa, Surinam, Switzerland and Trinidad & Tobago, provided they hold onward or return tickets and sufficient funds for duration of stay; (d) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country by the same aircraft or by first connecting aircraft within seven hours without leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Tourist: £10. Business: £14 (Single-entry); £16 (three-month Multiple-entry); £20 (one-year Multiple-entry). Courtesy visas are issued free of charge to spouses or close relatives of Guyanese citizens, provided they supply documentary proof. Validity: Visas are valid for three months from the date of issue. Length of stay and extension is at the discretion of the Immigration Office. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) Two application forms. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Evidence of sufficient funds to cover length of stay. (d) Passport valid for at least six months prior to travel. (e) Return ticket. (f) Fee. Business: (a)-(f) and, (g) Letter of approval from the Minister of Home Affairs, Guyana. Working days required: Applicants should contact Embassy or High Commission at least one week in advance of travel to Guyana. Temporary residence: Permission must be obtained from the Minister of Home Affairs, Guyana. Money Currency: Guyanese Dollar (G$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of G$1000, 500, 100 and 20. Coins are in denominations of G$10, 5 and 1. US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Guyana. Currency exchange: Banks offer exchange facilities. Bureaux de change offer free conversion of currencies. Credit & debit cards: American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club enjoy limited acceptance (eg at certain hotels and shops). Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Accepted but not recommended for those who may wish to change money in a hurry. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to G$200. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided declared in writing on arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared. The Guyanese Dollar is not negotiable abroad. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Guyanese Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 263.04 274.52 283.07 285.01 $1.00= 180.50 180.50 179.00 179.00 Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1200, Fri 0800-1200 and 1530-1700. Duty Free The following goods can be imported into Guyana by travellers aged 16 years or over without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco; spirits not exceeding 750ml; wine not exceeding 750ml; a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 12 Eid ul-Azha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 23 Republic Day (Mashramani). Mar 18 Phagwah (Holi). Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 5 Indian Heritage Day. May 14 Yum an-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). May 26 Independence Day. Jul 7 Caricom Day. Aug 4 Freedom Day. Oct 25 Deepvali (Hindu Festival of Light). Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid ul-Azha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 23 Republic Day (Mashramani). Mar 6 Phagwah (Holi). Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Yum an-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). May 5 Indian Heritage Day. May 26 Independence Day. Jul 5 Caricom Day. Aug 2 Freedom Day. Nov 12 Deepvali (Hindu Festival of Light). Dec 25-26 Christmas. Note: (a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. (b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is only possible to forecast the month of their occurrence. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera Yes No Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A Malaria 3 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas and from the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Dem Rep), Congo (Rep), Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé e Príncipé, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda; and in Latin America: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country. 2: Typhoid is a risk. 3: Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the northwest region and areas along the Pomeroon River. Chloroquine-resistant falciparum is reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine unless contra-indicated, in which case use chloroquine plus proguanil plus protection against mosquito bites. Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated in main cities, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is readily available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A is common. Hepatitis B and D are highly endemic in the Amazon basin and precautions should be taken. Bancroftian filariasis is endemic in certain parts and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occurs. Jungle yellow fever may be found in forest areas. Dengue fever may occur. Rabies occurs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Health care: Health insurance is recommended. Hospital treatment in Georgetown is free, but doctors will charge for an appointment. Medical care and prescription drugs are limited and sanitary conditions are poor in many medical facilities. Travellers are advised to bring prescription medicines sufficient for their length of stay. Travel - International AIR: Guyana’s national airline, Guyana Airways Corporation, went bankrupt and shut down in 2001. Air France (AF) operates a daily flight to Cayenne. Other airlines serving Trinidad and Tobago, from where connecting flights may be made, include BWIA (British West Indies Airways). Approximate flight times: From Georgetown to London is 10 hours (via Antigua, Barbados or Trinidad & Tobago). There are no direct flights. International airports: Georgetown (GEO) (Cheddi Jagan International) is 40km (26 miles) from the city (travel time – 60 minutes). An irregular and crowded bus service to the city is available. Taxis meet every plane (fare: approximately G$2500). Airport facilities include duty-free, restaurants, bars, post office and a bank (Mon-Thurs 0900-1330, Fri 0900-1500). Departure tax: G$2500 or equivalent in US Dollars; transit passengers and children under seven years of age are exempt. SEA/RIVER: Numerous schooners sail between Guyana and the Caribbean islands, but schedules are erratic. For details, contact local ports. Cargo vessels run by the Guyana National Shipping Corporation ply from Miami to Georgetown and vessels run by the Demerara Shipping Company ply between European ports and Georgetown weekly. Cruise lines serving Guyana include American Canadian Caribbean Line, Cunard and Royal Carribean Cruise Line. Following recent improvements in relations with Surinam, a ferry service across the Courantyne River now links the two countries. RAIL: There are no passenger rail services. ROAD: There is a soft road from Georgetown via Kurupukari and Lethem to Brazil. The journey will take at least two days in a four-wheel drive vehicle. However, the road is impassable in the rainy season. Buses travel between Boa Vista in Brazil and Lethem. There is no reliable route to Venezuela. Travel - Internal AIR: The only reliable means of travelling into the interior is by air. A number of different airlines and charter companies offer flights to most destinations. Enquire locally for details. SEA/RIVER: Guyana has 1077km (607 miles) of navigable inland waterways, the most notable being the Mazaruni, Essequibo, Potaro, Demerara and Berbice rivers. Government steamers communicate with the interior up the Essequibo and Berbice rivers, but services can be irregular owing to flooding. The Government also runs a coast-hopping service from Georgetown to several northern ports. Smaller craft operate where there is sufficient demand throughout the country. RAIL: Mining concerns operate railways, but there are no scheduled passenger services. ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. All-weather roads are concentrated in the eastern coastal strip, although there is now a road inland as far as Linden and there are plans to extend it as far as the Brazilian border. The coastal road linking Georgetown, Rossignol, New Amsterdam and Crabwood Creek (Corentyne) is fairly good, but generally road conditions are poor. Because of Guyana’s many rivers, most journeys of more than a few miles outside the capital will involve ferries and the attendant delays. Bus: Georgetown’s Stabroek market is the terminus for minibuses. These are regular but generally crowded. Buses run to all areas, departing whenever they are full. The first buses leave at around 0500, and services continue until about 2100. Within Georgetown, buses run all night. Services from Vreed en Hoop to Parika operate in conjunction with the passenger-ferry service across the Demerara to Georgetown; services from New Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek operate in conjunction with ferries across the Berbice River. Taxi: At night, it is advisable to travel by taxi. Vehicles are plentiful. There is a standard fare for intercity travel; night fares are extra. For longer trips, fares should be agreed before departure. A ten per cent tip is usual in taxis. Car hire: Limited availability from local firms in Georgetown as well as Hertz. Documentation: Foreign licence or International Driving Permit is accepted. Accommodation HOTELS: Hotels in Georgetown range from good to reasonable. There are no high-season charges. Nature lovers can stay in cabins at the interior resorts and camps. As power cuts are common, it is advisable to take a torch. GUEST-HOUSES: There is a variety of nature resorts, ranches and lodges which offer unusual accommodation. There are also numerous camps, for instance Maparri Wilderness Camp which overlooks the crystal clear river and waterfall, and the Shell Beach Camp at Almond Beach where turtles nest between April and August. Wilderness Explorers can provide further information (Cara Suites, 176 Middle Street, Georgetown, Guyana; tel: 227 7698; fax: 226 2085; e-mail: info@wilderness-explorers.com; website: www.wilderness-explorers.com). Introduction GEORGETOWN: The 19th-century wooden houses supported on stilts and charming green boulevards laid out along the lines of the old Dutch canals give the capital a unique character. Some of the more impressive wooden buildings dating from the colonial past include the city hall, St George’s Cathedral, the Law Courts and the State House. The Botanical Gardens, which cover 120 acres (48.6 hectares), have a fine collection of palms, orchids and lotus lilies; nearby is the new Cultural Centre, which contains what is probably the best theatre in the Caribbean. Also worth visiting is the Natural History Museum, which contains an up-to-date display of all aspects of Guyanese life and culture, and the Walter Roth Anthropological Museum. ELSEWHERE: At the junction of the Essequibo and Mazaruni rivers, Bartica is the ‘take-off’ town for the gold and diamond fields, Kaieteur Falls and the rest of the interior. A visit to the Kaieteur Falls in the Kaieteur National Park is particularly recommended; situated on the Potaro River, it ranks with Niagara, Victoria and Iquazú in majesty and beauty. There are a number of beaches in Guyana; these include Almond Beach, Shell Beach, No 63 Beach and Saxacelli Beach. There are rainforests in Iwokrama and Pakaraima mountains. Surama, set in savannah surrounded by forest-covered mountains, is home to the Amerindian community of the Macushi tribe, which welcomes tourists. Sport & Activities Fishing: The rivers and the interior abound in game fish, the best known of which is the man-eating piranha (called locally perai). The most sought after by the sportsman is the lucanni, a fish similar to the large-mouth bass. Most of the interior rivers are difficult for the more casual visitor to get to, but those who book in advance can reach them by air. Some of the coastal rivers within reach of Georgetown are also good for fishing, although it is wise to stay overnight in the fishing grounds, as the best are four to five hours’ drive from the city. Fishing licences are required. Horseriding: Horses are available at Manari Ranch in the Rupununi Savannahs. Other: Cricket and hockey are both popular, and the Bourda is one of the most attractive cricket grounds in the area. Social Profile Food & Drink: The food in hotels and restaurants reflects the range of influences on Guyanese society. From India came curries, especially mutton, prawn or chicken, and Africa contributed dishes such as foo-foo (plantains made into cakes) and metemgee (edows, yams, cassava and plantains cooked in coconut milk and grated coconut). Portuguese garlic pork and Amerindian pepperpot are specialities. On the menus of most restaurants one may find chicken, pork and steak and, most of the time, shrimp. The best Chinese food in the country can be found in Georgetown. It is best to drink bottled water in Guyana. Local rum, known as Demerara rum, is well worth trying, while the local beer is Banks. Nightlife: There are numerous nightclubs and bars in Georgetown. Shopping: Stabroek Market in Georgetown has local straw hats, baskets, clay goblets and jewellery. Other shops sell Amerindian bows and arrows, hammocks, pottery and salad bowls. Government-run shops sell magnificent jewellery, utilising local gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones. Prices are very low for the quality of goods. It is absolutely essential to ensure that receipts and correct documentation are retained, otherwise visitors may experience difficulty when clearing customs. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1130 and 1300-1600, Sat 0800-1130. Special Events: The following is a list of some of the events taking place in 2003: Feb 23 Annual Carnival, celebrations coincide with Mashramani (Republic Day). Mar Phagwah (Hindu-Festival). Apr Traditional Regatta, Essequibo River in Bartica. Jul 31 Pre-Emancipation Celebration (festivities to mark the 165th Anniversary of Emancipation). Aug 9-17 13th Scouts Caribbean Jamboree. Sep Amerindian Heritage Month. Dec Christmas Village, National Exhibition Centre, Sophia. For more information about events in Guyana contact the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (see Contact Addresses section). Social Conventions: Hospitality is important to the Guyanese and it is quite common for the visitor to be invited to their homes. Informal wear is widely acceptable, but men should avoid wearing shorts. Tipping: Ten per cent at hotels and restaurants. Business Profile Economy: Agriculture allows Guyana to be self-sufficient in sugar, rice, vegetables, fruit, meat and poultry, as well as to make major export earnings from the first two. Although 80 per cent of the land area is covered by forest, timber has only very recently assumed any economic significance (subject to internationally backed restrictions on logging). Bauxite mining is the main industry, and responsible for one third of export earnings. The mining sector also produces gold and diamonds, almost all of which are exported. Gold production has increased sharply since the opening of a new mining complex in 1992. Imported oil meets most of the country’s energy requirements, although Guyana and Surinam have begun joint exploration projects. Guyana has been a beneficiary of a debt write-off which has saved more than £100 million annually in debt-servicing payments, following the Government’s implementation of a major economic reform programme. Since 1997, many formerly state-owned assets and industries have been sold, and deregulation measures introduced, as part of that programme. A major obstacle to Guyana’s future economic progress is a shortage of trained personnel, especially in the fields of management and technical expertise; the emigration rate remains high, and only serves to compound this long-term problem. Guyana is a founder member of the regional trading bloc CARICOM. The country’s main export markets are the UK, the USA, Canada, Germany, Indonesia and Trinidad & Tobago. Business: Appointments should be made and punctuality is appreciated. Calling cards are useful. The pace of business and general attitudes are very Caribbean-orientated. It is, however, wise to bear in mind that the country is very much part of South America, the ties with the Caribbean being more a hangover from British colonial days than a reflection of Guyanese popular consciousness. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1130 and 1300-1630. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Guyana Manufacturer’s Association, National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown (tel: (22) 74295; fax: (22) 55615; e-mail: gma_guyana@yahoo.com); or Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 10110, 156 Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown (tel: (22) 55846; tel/fax: (22) 63519; e-mail: sharmadev@hotmail.com); or Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, 229 South Road, Georgetown (tel: 226 2505; fax: 225 4310; e-mail: mtti@sdnp.org.gy; website: www.mintic.gov.gy). Climate Guyana’s climate is warm and tropical throughout the year. The rainfall is generally high for most of the year, as is the humidity. December to January and May to June are the rainy seasons, while in coastal areas the climate is tempered by sea breezes. History and Government History: When Columbus reached the northern coast of South America at the beginning of the 16th century, the area that is now Guyana was inhabited by two distinct groups, the Arawak who lived along the coast and the Carib who lived in the interior. The Spanish were not attracted by the region, however, and it was the Dutch who first established a European presence around 1616. At the heart of it was the trading post at the mouth of the Essequibo River, which was controlled, along with other posts established later on, by the Dutch West India Company. The Dutch remained in undisputed control until the end of the 18th century when the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars brought a period of turmoil during which the territory changed hands several times between the Dutch, British and French. The British ultimately prevailed following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. The territory was then declared the colony of British Guiana, a status which it retained until independence. After the abolition of slavery in 1834, the plantation owners imported labourers from India. Indians now form the largest racial group, with most living in the agricultural areas, particularly around Demerara. Other immigrants were Americans, Europeans (Portuguese, British and Dutch) and Chinese. The urban/rural split between the Africans (descendants of the original slaves) and Asians is reflected in the main divisions between Guyana’s two main political parties – the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which draws predominantly Indian support, and the People’s National Congress (PNC), formed in 1957 as a mainly ethnic African breakaway from the PPP. The left-wing PPP, under Cheddi Jagan, won prototype elections held in 1957, 1961 – the year in which internal self-government was granted – and again in 1964. On the latter occasion, the PPP failed to secure an overall majority and entered into an alliance with the PNC. It was this coalition government which guided Guyana to full independence in 1996. After independence, the PNC under Forbes Burnham, and subsequently his erstwhile deputy, Desmond Hoyte, won every election from 1966 until 1992 – albeit against regular allegations of fraud. The PNC was finally ousted by a coalition of the PPP – still led by Jagan – and the newly-formed CIVIC movement, largely composed of middle-class professionals disillusioned with the PNC. Cheddi Jagan died in March 1997. His widow, Janet Jagan, took over as president, but was forced to stand down two years later through ill health. Her replacement, Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo, took over and remained in office following the PPP/CIVIC coalition’s most recent victory at the March 2001 poll. Samuel Hinds, who took over as Prime Minister in 1997, still holds the post. Abroad, Guyana has an unresolved border dispute with Venezuela, which has been referred to UN mediation: at present, this shows no potential either of imminent settlement or significant deterioration. Guyana’s other important border dispute, with Surinam, was resolved in July 2000. Government: Under the constitution, adopted in 1980, legislative power is held by the unicameral National Assembly which has 65 members. Of these, 53 are elected by national popular vote under a system of proportional representation; the other 12 are delegated by local councils. Executive power is held by the President, who leads the majority party in the Assembly. The President appoints and leads a Cabinet of Ministers responsible to parliament. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.