Guyana - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Guyana, it was the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams). The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 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
National symbols
Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, white.
The flag
The National flag of Guyana has green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green; green represents forest and foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future; white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance; also referred to by its nickname The Golden Arrowhead.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER |
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note: adopted 1966
More about the government of Guyana
| Date of Independence | 26 May 1966 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Republic Day, 23 February (1970) |
| Legal system | common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980 |
| Amendments | 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; amended many times, last in 2016 |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | na |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) |
| Head of government | President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly |
| Elections/appointments | the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president |
| Election results | 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 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Chamber name | National Assembly |
| Number of seats | 69 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Mixed system |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 3/2/2020 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) (33); A Partnership for National Unity - Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC) (31); Other (1) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 39.4% |
| Expected date of next election | March 2025 |
| 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); note - in 2009, Guyana acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) |
| 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 |
| Subordinate courts | Land Court; magistrates' courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021) |
| Chancery | 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 265-6900 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 232-1297 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] http://www.guyanaembassydc.org/ |
| Consulate(s) general | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Nicole THERIOT (since 14 October 2023) |
| Embassy | 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown |
| Mailing address | 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 |
| Telephone | [592] 225-4900 through 4909 |
| FAX | [592] 225-8497 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://gy.usembassy.gov/ |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Guyana
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Guyana
Want to know more about Guyana? Check all different factbooks for Guyana below.
