National Symbols *Guyana Friends Association of Massachusetts, Inc.

Guyana Friends Association
of Massachusetts, Inc.

Index

view a slide show on our banquet held on May 20, 2000.

profiles the officers of the organization

list of events in the caribbean community aroud the world

send your comments or join the Association

read about the history of the Association

National symbols of Guyana

September 2000

Aaahh, Guyana, you're our home!

National Symbols
Coat of Arms Map of Guyana National Bird
Nation Flag Nation Flower Presidential Flag

MAP OF GUYANA

Guyana(full name is Co-operative Republic of Guyana) is a tropical country situated on the northern coast of South America. It is the only country in South America where English is the official language. It is bordered by Venezuela on the west, Suriname on the east, Brazil on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the north. Guyana has an area of 214,969 sq km (83,000 sq mi), about the size of Great Britain. The name Guyana is an Amerindian word meaning Land Of Many Waters. We are known as the country of Six People- Africans, Amerindians, Chinese, East Indians, Europeans and Portugese. Guyana is notably famous for Kaieteur Falls, which is situated on the Potaro River, where that river falls off the Pakaraima Plateau.

NATIONAL FLAG

The Golden Arrowhead as the National Flag is commonly known as consists of five colors - Green, Gold, Red, Black, and White
Green; represents the agricultural and forested nature of Guyana.
White; represents the many rivers and water potential.
Gold; represents Guyana's mineral wealth.
Black; represents the endurance that will sustain the forward thrust of the Guyanese people.
Red; represents the zeal and dynamic nature of the nation-building that lies before the young and independent Guyana.

NATIONAL BIRD

The Canje Pheasant (Hoatzin) is Guyana's National Bird. The Adult Canje Pheasant is about twenty-two inches long from bill to tail. In coloration, reddish-brown streaked with green. The under parts are pale brown, while on the shoulder and sides the feathers are creamy-white.
On the head is a crest of very long feathers which gives the bird an almost majestic look. The bill is short and very thick, and the skin around the crimson eye is of a pale blue colour. This bird can be found along the banks of the Berbice river and its tributaries.

NATIONAL FLOWER

The Victoria Regia, a water lily is native to the Tropical America.
The plant is perennial. It grows in 4 to 6 feet of water. with the base of the stem situated in the mud.
From each plant there are rarely more than 4 to 5 leaves.
The largest flowers can measure between 10 to 12 inches in diameter.
When first open the flowers are white, by the second day they are fully expanded and a deeper pink, by the third day they start to wither.

COAT OF ARMS

The Amerindian head-dress symbolises the Amerindians as the indigenous people of the country.
The Two Diamonds at the side of the head-dress represent the country's mining industry. The Helmet is the monarchial insignia.
The Two Jaguars holding a pick-axe, a sugar cane and a stalk of rice symbolise labour and the main agricultural industries of the country-sugar and rice. The Shield which is decorated with the National Flower, The Victoria Regia Lily, is to protect the nation.
The Three Blue Wavy Lines represent the many waters of Guyana. The Canje Pheasant, our National Bird, at the bottom of the shield represents a rare bird found primarily in this part of the world. The banner below reads- ONE PEOPLE ONE NATION ONE DESTINY

PRESIDENTIAL FLAG

Email us at: guyanafriends95@hotmail.com