World Factbook
Guyana
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the left side) on top of a long yellow arrowhead shape that extends to the opposite side of the flag; a narrow black border sits between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and green meaning: green stands for forest and foliage, yellow for mineral resources and a bright future, white for the rivers, red for zeal and the people's sacrifice, and black for perseverance
Capital
name
Georgetown
etymology
the British founded the town in 1781 and named it in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 48 N, 58 09 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
na
Constitution
history
several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval
Country name
former
British Guiana
etymology
the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; the name Guiana may be derived from a local term meaning "Land of Water" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)
conventional long form
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form
Guyana
Independence
26 May 1966 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases
subordinate courts
Land Court; magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly
chief of state
President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)
election results
2025: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) reelected president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly
head of government
President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)
most recent election date
1 September 2025
election/appointment process
the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president
expected date of next election
August 2030
National holiday
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
National color(s)
red, yellow, green, black, white
Political parties
A New and United Guyana or ANUG A Partnership for National Unity or APNU Alliance for Change or AFC Justice for All Party Liberty and Justice Party or LJP National Independent Party or NIP People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C The New Movement or TNM The United Force or TUF United Republican Party or URP
Legislative branch
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
72 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/1/2025
expected date of next election
August 2030
percentage of women in chamber
36.1%
parties elected and seats per party
People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) (36); We Invest in Nationhood (W.I.N.) (16); A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) (12); Other (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
history
adopted 1966
lyrics/music
Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER
National symbol(s)
Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily
National coat of arms
Guyana’s coat of arms was adopted in 1966, the year of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom; the jaguars signify strength and resilience, with one holding a pickaxe that stands for labor and the other holding stalks of rice and sugarcane for agriculture; two national symbols, the Canje pheasant and the Victorian lily, are on the shield, with the national motto underneath; three wavy blue lines stand for the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice rivers, the headdress for the country’s ethnic groups, and the diamonds for the mining industry; the helmet is a symbol of past UK rule in Guyana
Administrative divisions
10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-1297
chancery
2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 265-6900
chief of mission
Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
guyanaembassydc@verizon.net http://www.guyanaembassydc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[592] 225-8497
embassy
100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
telephone
[592] 225-4900 through 4909
mailing address
3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170
chief of mission
Ambassador Nicole THERIOT (since 14 October 2023)
email address and website
acsgeorge@state.gov https://gy.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction