The People’s Republic of China

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966. Forbes BURNHAM led the coalition government which won independence for British Guiana in 1966 and was Guyana’s first prime minister. He was the Prime Minister of Guyana from 1964 until he became President in 1980. He held the office of the presidency until his death in 1985. Desmond HOYTE became President in 1985 on the death of his predecessor, Forbes Burnham. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 re- sulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by President David GRANGER. The elections in March 2020 saw the election of the current President is Irfaan ALI.

LOCATION: Northern South America, bordering the North Atantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela.

CLIMATE: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January).

NATURAL RESOURCES:bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish, and, recently oil and gas.

GEOGRAPHY: the third smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay (substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively) contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent.