Geography (Guyana)
==================


     Total area:
         214,970 km2
     Land area:
         196,850 km2
     Comparative area:
         slightly smaller than Idaho
     Land boundaries:
         2,462 km; Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
     Coastline:
         459 km
     Maritime claims:
       Continental shelf:
         outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm
       Exclusive fishing zone:
         200 nm
       Territorial sea:
         12 nm
     Disputes:
         all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname
         claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all
         headwaters of the Courantyne)
     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
     Natural resources:
         bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
     Land use:
         arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and
         woodland 83%; other 8%; includes irrigated 1%
     Environment:
         flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons; water pollution