Short facts about the geography of Guyana

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

Area:

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

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Idaho

Land boundaries:

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

Coastline:

459 km

Maritime claims:

continental shelf:  200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic 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

Elevation extremes:

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

Natural resources:

bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Land use:

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

Environment - international agreements:

party to:  Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified:  none of the selected agreements

Source: World Factbook