Guyana, until independence, was known as British Guiana.

It is a huge country of 83,000 square miles and a population of 756,000 people.

It became independent on May 26, 1966 and a Republic on February 23, 1970.

It is situated in North East. South America.

50% of its people are East Indian

30% are of African origin

14% are Mixed

5% are Amerindian

Others are 1%

Roman Catholics are 11%

Anglicans 14%

Presbyterians 5%

Methodists 3%

other Christians 9%

Hindus 37%

Muslims 9%

The balance, those who have not declared their religious affiliation, are 12%.