Guyana is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana has been a former colony of the Dutch and for over 200 years of the British. It achieved independence in 1966 and officially became a republuc in 1970. It is the only state of the Commonwealth of Nations on mainland South America, and it is also a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which has its secretariat headquarters in Guyana's capital, Georgetown. Guyana is also one of the few Caribbean countries which are not islands.

Guyana is one of the few countries that has experienced healthy economic growth during the current economic crisis, growing by 3% in 2008. Their main economic activities include agriculture and mineral mining, although development in these areas are hampered by a lack of skilled labour and a poor infrastructure. Sugar is also a significant export, accounting for 28% of export earnings.

The country is home to 800,000 people who largely live on the coast, leaving the forests untouched. This population is made from the descendants of African slaves, and so language and religion is fairly diverse. English is the only official language however, used in schools and government business. The education system is considered to be one of the best in the Caribbean, but as many graduates leave the area to the first world, Guyana does not benefit too much from this.