Guyana

 


Learn a little about the geography, history and culture of this unique country, Guyana. We also have a full set of our useful flag printables here - just scroll down.

Mount Roraima, in Guyana
The peculiar landscape of Mount Roraima, Guyana

Learn About Guyana

A Little Geography:

  • The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is a very unique country. It is the only Caribbean nation on the continent of South America and the only English speaking nation in that region.
  • Located between Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela, Guyana offers a wide range of eco-systems with over 75% of the country covered by forest habitats providing a biodiversity of flora and fauna. An impressive 8000 different plants have been discovered, half of which are only found here!
  • The name Guyana means the land of many waters. The Kaieteur Waterfall, which plunges off the Pakaraima Plateau, is almost five times as high as Niagara Falls!

Guyana on map of South America
Guyana on map of South America. Find a printable version here.

  • The sparse population of 760,000 people mainly congregate along the narrow coastal plain, where sugar and rice are grown for export. Inland is a vast area of grassland plateaus and mountain ranges. The Kanaku Mountains, for example, are a wildlife haven, home to 350 species of bird including the harpy eagles and black caimans.
  • At Iwokrama rain forest near Turtle Mountain, exotic jaguars and giant anaconda attract tourists and naturalists. Amerindian villages share their Makushi indigenous culture with visitors, demonstrating the use of curare sap to make poisoned arrows for hunting.
  • An impressive 8000 different plants have been discovered, half of which are only found here.

A Little History:

  • The land of Guyana was originally settled by the Arawak and Carib tribes. These groups are thought to have arrived in modern-day Guyana from farther south in South America.
  • Spotted by Columbus in 1499, Guyana was explored by Sir Francis Drake whilst searching for the legendary golden city of Manoa in 1595.
  • Guyana was settled by Dutch colonists in 1616 until the British took control in 1814. East Indians, Africans, Portuguese and Chinese joined the indigenous population to create a country also called the 'land of six people'.
  • Modern Guyana gained independence in 1966 and became a republic in 1970.

And Some Interesting Facts:

  • Guyanese food reflects the diversity of the country in dishes like metemgie, a stew containing fish, cassava and coconut. Spicy foods such as curry and pepperpot stew are also popular.
  • Musician Eddie Grant is Guyanese as are most of Rhianna's family, although she was born in Barbados.
  • Guyana is famous for locally made craft which includes paintings, hats, costume jewellery and many other items. 
  • Mauby is a famous drink made from tree bark which is available throughout the country. 
  • Guyana hosted international cricket matches as part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The Guyana Flag

Flag of Guyana

The flag of Guyana is a black-edged red triangle over a larger white-edged gold triangle, on a green background. The colours on the flag are symbolic; green for agriculture and forests, white for water, gold for mineral wealth, black for endurance and red for dynamism. The flag was designed by Whitney Smith and it has been the national flag since May 1966 when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom.


Our Guyana Resources

A Day In Guyana Diary

A Day In Guyana Diary

Use our Guyana diary template to write about a day in the life of someone living there, including the food you might eat, school and much more...

Climate Of Guyana Worksheet

Climate Of Guyana Worksheet

This worksheet encourages the kids to do a little research about the climate in Guyana, then they can have fun filling in the current weather conditions on the weather app template.

Culture In Guyana

Culture In Guyana Worksheet

We've provided four boxes ready for you to fill in with information about culture in Guyana. You can write something, draw a picture or cut and paste pictures - it's up to you!

Design A Tourism Poster For Guyana

Design A Tourism Poster For Guyana

Ask the kids to try to design a tourism poster for Guyana. They'll need to do a little research on the country first, then remember to including some interesting information and an attention-grabbing headline!

Food From Guyana Worksheet

Food From Guyana Worksheet

How much do you know about the different foods eaten around the world? Find out a little more about the food that is grown and eaten in Guyana then fill in this fun worksheet...

Guyana Coat Of Arms Worksheet

Guyana Coat Of Arms Worksheet

Can the children find out the significance of the two beautiful jaguars on the coat of arms of Guyana, and what the other parts mean too? We have two versions of this worksheet, Worksheet 2 has space for the children to design their own coat of arms for Guyana. 

Guyana Fact Worksheet

Guyana Fact Worksheet

Use this worksheet to guide your studies on Guyana, or as a summary of what you've learned.

Guyana Facts Poster

Guyana Facts Poster

Learn about the currency, capital city and highest point of Guyana, plus much more, with this colourful one-page fact poster.

Guyana Factsheet

Guyana Factsheet

Learn the key facts about Guyana with our simple one-page factsheet. Great for displays and topic work...

Guyana Location Worksheet

Guyana Location Worksheet

Our Guyana location worksheets will help children locate the country with confidence on a map of South America.

Guyana National Flower Colouring Page

Guyana National Flower Colouring Page

Guyana has quite an unusual national flower - the Victoria Regia lily, the largest of all water lilies! Enjoy colouring in our lovely illustration of this beautiful plant...

Guyana Picture Gallery

Guyana Picture Gallery

This Guyana picture gallery printable is a fun activity for the kids and will look lovely as part of a classroom display or as part of a lapbook about Guyana.

Guyana Postcard 1

Guyana Postcard 1

Write a postcard as if you were staying in Guyana, ready to send to someone back home. Can you describe what it's like there?

Guyana Postcard 2

Guyana Postcard 2

Enjoy this activity that's a drawing and writing activity in one! Can the kids write a postcard from Guyana, and draw a design on the space provided too?

Guyana Poster 1

Guyana Poster 1

This poster features a tranquil scene in Guyana. Print to use in displays and topic work.

Guyana Poster 2

Guyana Poster 2

This simple poster featuring the flag of Guyana is perfect for displays, but it might also make a great cover for a book or folder about the country.

Guyana Story Paper

Guyana Story Paper

This stunning photo of somebody in Guyana on a small boat is bound to inspire a little creative story writing!

Guyana Study Pack

Guyana Study Pack

There are lots of activities for all ages in our Guyana study pack. Just choose the ones you need, or try them all!

Guyana Tourist Leaflet

Guyana Tourist Leaflet

Have you ever seen tourist leaflets in travel agents or tourist information centres? Here's a chance to make your own 3-fold tourist leaflet for Guyana...

Guyana Word Search

Guyana Word Search

This Guyana word search is a fun way to kick off learning about the country. Can you find the 15 Guyana-themed words in the grid?

Guyana Worksheet

Guyana Worksheet

Use this worksheet to find out what the children know about Guyana, and have remembered from their studies.

Introduction to Guyana

Introduction to Guyana

Reading our introduction to Guyana is a great way to kick off your studies on this fascinating country...

Packing For Guyana Worksheet

Packing For Guyana Worksheet

The aim of this worksheet is to get the kids thinking about what they'd need to take on a trip to Guyana. Can they draw or write down everything they'd need in the suitcase?

Wildlife Of Guyana Worksheet

Wildlife Of Guyana Worksheet

Guyana has plenty of exotic plants, animals and birds! Find out about some of them then use our worksheet to record your research...

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