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. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001.
February 6th 2008South America » Guyana » Georgetown Last month, we just got back from Georgetown, Guyana. The vacation that we had there was very interesting. The Guyanese people were very friendly, before we left we had heard that Georgetown was da ... 6 photos[full story]
Map of Guyana
Guyana's Flag
