This former British colony is the only English-speaking country in South America, located between Suriname and Venezuela on the north coast of the continent. Guyana has a diverse population which includes descendants of Indian, African, Amerindian, and multiracial groups. The largest ethnic group are the Indo-Guyanese, who are the descendants of indentured laborers brought over from India during the colonial era.
Guyana has one of the largest unspoiled rainforests in South America, inhabited by rare species such as the giant otter and harpy eagle. It is rich in natural resources such as rich reserves of bauxite, gold and timber and its sugar industry accounts for almost 30% of its national wealth. The major sports in Guyana are cricket (team is part of the West Indies national side), basketball, football, and volleyball.