9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)
Religions
Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census)
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Languages
English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu
Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products
External Debt
$1,234,000,000 $
$125,900,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 203.86 (2008 est.), 201.89 (2007), 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004)
lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
8
Location
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Area
214,969 km sq
238,391 km sq
Coastline
459 km
225 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
