Ten things you never knew about... Guyana

Today is Independence Day in Guyana, marking their independence from Britain on May 26, 1966.

1. Guyana, which was formerly British Guiana, is the only country in South America in which English is the official language…

2. …but most Guyanese speak Guyanese Creole, or “broke broke English” as they commonly call it.

3. The repetition of “broke” in that phrase is an example of a Guyanese form of emphasis. “Dis wata de col col” means, “This water is very cold”.

4. Guyana’s only Olympic medal was won in 1980 when Michael Anthony took bronze in the men’s bantamweight boxing.

5. More than 80 per cent of Guyana is covered by rainforest.

6. The national dish of Guyana is pepperpot, made of stewed meat with cinnamon, peppers, and a sauce called cassareep, made from cassava root.

7. The Kaieteur Falls in Guyana are 741 feet high, which is five times the height of the Niagara Falls.

8. The southernmost point of Guyana is about 75 miles above the Equator.

9. Homosexuality or cross-dressing are officially illegal in Guyana but the law is rarely enforced.

10. The country’s official name is the “Co-operative Republic of Guyana.” Its motto is “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”