Below is its Full Name, Flag, Coat of Arms and Motto

Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 26 May 1966

Guyana became a republic on 23 February 1970 and has remained a member of the Commonwealth ever since, and, as an independent country it has also been able to join all of the world’s major institutions in its own right

Today the country is still a diverse group of backgrounds – 43.5 percent East Indian, 31.2 percent Black African, 16.7 percent multiracial (largely of African descent), 9.2 percent Amerindian, and 0.46 percent of Chinese, Portuguese or English descent.

Guyana is the only South American nation in which English is the official language. However, the majority of the Guyana population speak Guyanese Creole as their first language

It is part of the mainland Caribbean Region and maintains strong cultural, historical, and political ties with other Caribbean countries as well as serving as the headquarters for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In 2008, the country joined the Union of South American Countries as a founding member and has steadily prospered as a country.

However, oil was discovered of its shores in 2015 and that has transformed Guyana, and it has been able to use those revenues for the good of all its 797,429 people

Independence Day Celebrations

Although celebrated worldwide, locals in this South American country have particular traditions with which to celebrate their history. Festivities include fireworks, a flag-raising ceremony, crafts, music, fashion and a message to the public from the president. It is worth noting that in 2016 their President, David Granger, was the first president from an Afro-Guyanese Partnership to speak at the Independence Day Festival which marked a new era for the country.

Independence Day celebrations which are held for two days include Caribbean music, fashion shows and family activities.

Strengthening literacy: Although Guyana is celebrated in other parts of the world, one worldwide connection from Guyana is to educate others about the rich literary history in Guyana and people also speak out about what life has been like since Independence Day in Guyana.

Eats and treats: Creole foods are popular at Guyanese festivals, including black-eyed peas, cassareep (a sauce made in a Guyanese pepperpot), coconut milk, crab, curry, dasheen, eddoes, fish soup, green plantains, pigs’ tails, rice and roti. Curried meat and vegetarian dishes are also commonly found at food booths.

Significance of flag raising: The flag itself represents the history that the country has gone through. The golden arrowhead in the middle refers to the journey to independence. The colours are also significant as Green represents agriculture and forests, Gold (mineral wealth), Red (building a nation), Black (endurance), and White (natural water).

Full celebration details can be found on