Geography and Regions

 

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, Guyana is South America’s best-kept secret. Miles of golden savannahs, pristine virgin rainforest, hundreds of kilometres of coastline, and a hilly sand and clay region  – Guyana has it all. Of the country’s population of 746,955 (2012 census), 90% lives along the coast, leaving the country’s lush interior untouched and ripe for exploration. Although no larger than Great Britain or Oregon in the USA, with 18% of the world’s tropical forests, it is one of the four regions that make up the 270 million hectares of Guiana Shield. With breathtaking waterfalls, mighty rivers, and a large diversity of wildlife and bird species, Guyana has emerged as the playground for 21st-century explorers and travellers.

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Guyana’s landscape can be divided broadly into four main areas: Natural Regions. The low coastal plains on the country's northern edge are made of marsh and swamp, with enormous mud flats stretching into the sea. The hilly sand and clay region area of the country is the smallest natural region and a bit inland along the coast. The forested highlands in the interior of the country offer a more dramatic setting, with dense tropical rainforest, mountains and plateaus interspersed with eco-lodges and indigenous villages found nestling among its lush greenery.  The Pakaraima Mountains guard the western border, with the famous Mount Roraima -- the nation’s tallest peak (2762 meters) – firmly proudly keeping its head above the clouds. The Kaieteur Plateau lies on the southern edge of the Pakaraimas, from where Kaieteur Falls plunges down 741 feet, one of the world's tallest and most powerful single-drop waterfalls.  The expansive Kanuku Mountain Range and Acarai Mountains can be found on the southern edge. These mountains welcome you into the interior savannahs of Guyana, known locally as the Rupununi. The vast and golden landscape is home to many adventures waiting to be had.     

 

Rivers

 

Slim capillaries on the map turn into mighty rivers when you zoom in closer. The three main rivers of Guyana – the Essequibo, the Demerara and the Berbice – along with their many tributaries and the Corentyne River, which borders Suriname – flow spectacularly through the country’s emerald landscape. Sources of life and fertility, the rivers abound with small indigenous villages and rich wildlife ecosystems. Boats travel up and down these waterways, offering gorgeous landscape views and tantalising peeks into life along the riverbanks. Not only are the rivers the primary means of transportation in some of the country's more remote locations, but Guyana’s rivers also offer excellent sport fishing, wildlife spotting and birding hotspots.  

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People and Culture 

Feel naturally at home with warm and friendly people, and we are happy to give you an insider view as you travel the country. Meet people from the nine Indigenous groups (Wapishanas, Arecunas, Makushis, Warraus, Arawaks, Caribs, Akawaios, Patamonas, and Wai-Wais) in addition to East Indians, Africans, Chinese, Portuguese and other Europeans. Only 16% of the landscape is occupied by most of the country’s population – leaving the rest – a vast wilderness – ready for exploration. The Guyanese lifestyle is known for its relaxing and easy-going vibe, with a distinctive Caribbean culture on the coast. Travel south deep into the heart of the country, and you will meet the Indigenous Peoples and have an opportunity to experience their traditional way of life. Travel south into the Guiana Shield, part of Amazonia, where neighbouring Brazil has influenced daily life and culture.   This incredible melting pot of people is the soul of Guyana and the reason for its amazing cuisine, music and art.     

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English Creolese is the most commonly spoken language in Guyana, along with separate dialects of the Indigenous Peoples. First-timers might find it hard to get a grasp immediately. Give yourself a couple of days talking with friendly locals and a read of the ‘A Plate - a Guyana Cook Up’, and you will feel like an insider. As you move south, you will find the locals speaking some Portuguese just as well as their Brazilian neighbours.      

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