Guyana
 Keyfacts
POPULATION (Census 2002): 751,223
AREA: 214,969 sq km
CAPITAL: Georgetown
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO GDP: -
CURRENCY: Guyana dollar (GYD)
HEAD OF STATE: President Bharrat Jagdeo
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: Prime Minister Sam Hinds
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: republic
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: unicameral
STATE STRUCTURE: unitary
LANGUAGES: English (official) Guyanese Creole, Portuguese, Hindi, Spanish, Akawaio, Macushi, Wai Wai, Arawak, Patamona, Warrau, Carib, Wapishiana, Arekuna (recognised)
NATIONAL ELECTIONS: last: 2006; turnout: 68.8%; next: Aug 2011
LOCAL ELECTIONS: last: 1994; turnout: - next: 2011
Summary
Guyana is a unitary republic with three spheres of government: central, regional and local. Local government is enshrined in Chapter VII of the
constitution and the main governing legislation includes the Municipal and District Councils Act, 1988 and Local Government Act 1998. The
Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has responsibility for overseeing local government, which comprises ten regional development councils (RDCs), seven municipalities and 65 neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs). There are also 75 Amerindian village councils (AVCs). The municipalities and NDCs are responsible for raising and collecting taxes and the central government makes annual grants for specified developmental work. RDCs have responsibility for education, health and agriculture support whilst NDCs are responsible for waste collection and sanitation, roads/dams and markets. Municipalities are responsible for drainage and irrigation, waste collection and maintenance of infrastructure.
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