Background:
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British
possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the
importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. Guyana
achieved independence from the UK in 1966.
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and
Venezuela. Coordinates 5 00 W, 59 00 N. 459 km of coastline
Area:
Total 214.970 sq km (land 196.850, water 18.120), roughly the size of the UK or the US State
of Idaho. Lowest point Atlantic Ocean 0 m, highest point Mt. Roraima 2.835 m
Climate:
Tropical
Population:
800.000
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