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The Country and the People of Guyana Source: http://www.guyana.org/flag.htm

     Guyana is a tropical country on the northern shoulder of South America, 215,000 square kilometers in area, approximately the size of Great Britain or the combined size of the States of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts and bordered by Venezuela, Brazil, Surinam, and the Atlantic Ocean.

     Still only about 3/4 million, the population of Guyana, often called the "Land of Six Peoples", is composed of the original Amerindians; people of African descent and of Indian descent, jointly comprising the great majority of the population; and three smaller groups: the Chinese, the Portuguese, and persons of British descent. Additionally, many Guyanese mingle in their blood various mixtures of the six distinct groups.

     These groups retain elements of their original cultures, such as the Hindu or Muslim affiliations of many East Indians; but there is a high degree of mutual tolerance between the different traditions. Guyana is one of the very few places in the world where a Hindu temple, a Muslim mosque, and Roman Catholic and Protestant churches can be found together in one small village or one city neighborhood.

     Moreover, from their diversity the Guyanese people have forged a strong national unity, based upon a common language, a long history of universal education, shared aspirations for independence and development, and, not least, a passion for cricket and other sports. Visitors to Guyana today are struck by the harmony, good-will, and equality which generally prevails.