The majestic Kaieteur Falls Photo courtesy wayfaring.info
Where is Guyana? Guyana is located at the northern most point of South America, swimming distance from Trinidad and Tobago and a hop skip and a jump away from Barbados. Guyana is nestled between Suriname to the east and Venezuela to the west.
What is Guyana all about? Ha well that would depend on how much time you have lol Guyana is one of the largest countries in CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and has long been regarded as the bread basket of the Caribbean a distinction earned from many years of providing fresh fruit and vegetables to the region. Guyana is also famed for two very significant things. The first is the world famous Kaiteur Falls, listed as the longest one drop water fall in the world. The other is the St Georges Cathedral, again heralded as being one of the tallest wooden churches in the world.
Guyana is also infamously known for the Jonestown Massacre. In the 1970s, Jim Jones, leader of the People’s Temple of Christ, moved more than 1,000 of his followers from San Francisco to form Jonestown, a utopian agricultural community near Port Kaituma in western Guyana. They and several Guyanese all died following the drinking of a poisonous potion insisted upon by Jim Jones himself.
When did Guyana become independent? Guyana gained its independence from the British Empire in on May 26th 1966 and became a cooperative republic on February 23rd1970.
St George's Anglican Church Photo courtesy blogs.rowlandhs.org
Who are Guyanese? Guyanese are hard working, friendly and lovers of practical jokes and what we call ‘tantalising’, making fun of someone to the point of tears.
Why is Guyana so special? Guyana is special simply because we are the only nation in the Caribbean with six significant races living in relative harmony. Our cuisine is a melting pot of African, Chinese, East Indian, Amerindian, Caucasian and the many mixed races. We also have a University that churns out a wide variety of academic and technical professionals that serve the Caribbean in many senior capacities. Guyana is also the headquarters of the influential CARICOM organisation.
Famous Guyanese:
Former West Indies Cricket Captain Clive Lloyd
Academic Sir Shridath Ramphal
Singer Leona Lewis
West Indies Batsman Shiv Chanderpaul
