What is the official name of Guyana?

The official name of Guyana is the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The country is commonly called simply Guyana, but its constitutional name includes the phrase “Co-operative Republic.”

Guyana adopted this name when it became a republic on February 23, 1970, four years after gaining independence from the United Kingdom. Before independence, the territory was known as British Guiana. It became independent on May 26, 1966, initially remaining a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth before becoming a republic.

The name reflects the political language of Guyana's government at the time, which promoted a cooperative economic and social model. Guyana's constitution states that the country shall be known by this name. It should not be confused with neighboring Suriname or Venezuela, and “Republic of Guyana,” while understandable as a shortened description, is not the country's full official name.

Guyana is located on South America's northern coast. Its capital is Georgetown, and it borders Venezuela, Brazil, and Suriname, with the Atlantic Ocean to the north.