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Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana andpreviously known as British Guiana, is the only nation state of the Commonwealthof Nations on the mainland of South America. Bordered to the east by Suriname,to the south and southwest by Brazil and to the west by Venezuela, it is thethird-smallest country on the mainland of South America Culturally, Guyanaassociates primarily with the English-speaking Caribbean countries such as Jamaica,or Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana is also estimated to have a population of751,000.

Guyana can be divided into four natural regions: a narrowand fertile marshy plain along the Atlantic (low coastal plain) coast wheremost of the population lives, then a white sand belt more inland (hilly sandand clay region), containing most of Guyana's mineral deposits, the dense rainforests(Forested Highland Region) across the middle of the country, the grassy flatsavannah in the south and finally the larger interior highlands (interiorsavannah) consisting mostly of mountains that gradually rise to the Brazilianborder. There are also many steep escarpments and waterfalls, including thefamous Kaieteur Falls. At the mouth of the Essequibo are several large islands.The 90-mile (145 km) Shell Beach along the north-west coasts. Guyana is amajor breeding area for sea turtles (mainly Leatherbacks) and other wildlife.The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, though moderated bynortheast trade winds along the coast. There are two rainy seasons, the firstfrom May to mid-August, the second from mid-November to mid-January.

The Guyanese economy has rebounded slightly and exhibitedmoderate economic growth since 1999, based on an expansion in the agriculturaland mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, amore realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued supportof international organizations. Exports of Guyana include rice, sugar,molasses, bauxite, gold, furniture, electrical and household appliances, alcoholicbeverages, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, wood, wood products, processed food,spices, fish, fruits, vegetables, hides, skins, leather and leather products,flowers and plants, textiles, yarns, fabrics, gold jewelry, toys and games,travel goods, stationery, paper products, ceramics, handicrafts, wildlife,packaged foods, and tobacco.

The main economic activities in Guyana are agriculture(producing rice and Demerara sugar), bauxite mining, gold mining, timber,shrimp fishing and minerals. The sugar industry, which accounts for 28% of allexport earnings, is largely run by Guysuco, which employs more people than anyother industry. Many industries have a large foreign investment. The mineralindustry, for example, is heavily invested in by the American company ReynoldsMetals, the Canadian Alcan and the Korean/Malaysian Barama Company has a largestake in the logging industry.

In addition, the government initiated a major overhaul ofthe tax code with the start of 2007. The Value Added Tax (VAT) was brought intoeffect, replacing six different taxes. Prior to the implementation of the VATit had been relatively easy to evade sales tax and many businesses were inviolation of tax code. Many businesses were very opposed to VAT introductionbecause of the extra paperwork required; however, the Government has remainedfirm on the VAT. By replacing several taxes with one flat tax rate, it willalso be easier for government auditors to spot embezzlement.