Guyana lies in the north-east of South America and borders Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela. It is the third smallest country in South America and approximately the size of Great Britain.
The generally hot, humid and wet conditions are modified along the coast by sea breezes. The economy is based on agriculture, mining, forestry and fishing. Sugar, bauxite, gold and rice are the main exports.
A British colony from the 1830s, the country’s attainment of independence came on 26 May 1966. Guyana was declared a Cooperative Republic, with a non-executive president on the 23 February 1970. A new constitution was duly drafted with an executive presidency in October 1980. It joined the Commonwealth in 1966, and has participated in 12 Games since its first appearance at the very first Games in Hamilton in 1930. With a total of 14 medals in competition, including three gold, Guyana has a heritage of success at the Commonwealth Games.
Guyana’s sole medal winning performance at the Manchester Games came in the Women’s 400 metres, where Aliana Pompey won gold in a time of 51.63 seconds.
View the final list of medallists from Guyana at Melbourne 2006
See highlights and photos from the Queen's Baton Relay in Guyana