Geography of Guyana

source: CIA World Fact Book 1997

Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W

Map references: South America

• total: 214,970 sq km
• land: 196,850 sq km
• water : 18,120 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho

• total: 2,462 km
• border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Coastline: 459 km

• continental shelf : 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
• exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
• territorial sea: 12 nm

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

Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

• lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
• highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m

Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

• arable land : 2%
• permanent crops: 0%
• permanent pastures: 6%
• forests and woodland: 84%
• other: 8% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Environment - current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation

• party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Whaling
• signed, but not ratified: Tropical Timber 94