Claim: Guyana was occupied by native groups.

Guyana -LRB- pronounced -LSB- ɡaɪˈɑːnə -RSB- or -LSB- ɡaɪˈænə -RSB- -RRB- , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana , is a sovereign state on the northern mainland of South America . It is , however , included in the Caribbean Region due to its strong cultural , historical , and political ties with other Anglo Caribbean countries and the Caribbean Community -LRB- CARICOM -RRB- . Guyana is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north , Brazil to the south and southwest , Suriname to the east and Venezuela to the west . With 215000 sqkm , Guyana is the fourth-smallest country on mainland South America after Uruguay , Suriname and French Guiana -LRB- an overseas region of France -RRB- .   The region known as `` the Guianas '' consists of the large shield landmass north of the Amazon River and east of the Orinoco River known as the `` land of many waters '' . Originally inhabited by several indigenous groups , Guyana was settled by the Dutch before coming under British control in the late 18th century . It was governed as British Guiana , with mostly a plantation style economy until the 1950s . It gained independence in 1966 , and officially became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970 . The legacy of British rule is reflected in the country 's political administration and diverse population , which includes Indian , African , Amerindian , and multiracial groups .   Guyana is the only South American nation in which English is the official language . The majority of the population , however , speak Guyanese Creole , an English-based creole language , as a first language . In addition to being part of the Anglophone Caribbean , Guyana is one of the few Caribbean countries that is not an island in the West Indies . CARICOM , of which Guyana is a member , is headquartered in Guyana 's capital and largest city , Georgetown . In 2008 , the country joined the Union of South American Nations as a founding member .