Guyana, formally known as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and formerly British Guiana, is a country in South America. It is the only Commonwealth country in South America and the only South American country where English is the official language.

Located north of the equator but within the tropics, it has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Guyana is bordered to the southeast by Suriname, to the south and southwest by Brazil, and to the northwest by Venezuela. It is the third-smallest country in South America by area. Guyana is one of the last three countries on the American continent where people drive on the left side of the road; the other two are its neighbor Suriname and the Bahamas.

Guyana means “land of abundant waters” in the Arawak language. The country is characterized by its vast tropical forests crisscrossed by numerous rivers, creeks, and waterfalls, notably Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River. The tepuis of Guyana are famous for having inspired Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 novel The Lost World.

Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, is located on the Atlantic coast and has a population of approximately 245,000.