Climate Change Overview

Country Summary

This page presents high-level information for Guyana's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter).  Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Guyana's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.

Guyana is a tropical country located on the Northeastern coast of South America. It has a total territory of 214,970 square kilometers and is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north, Suriname on the East, Venezuela on the West and Brazil on the West and South. The Coastline with the Atlantic extends for 430 kilometers. This coast lies at 1.4 meters below mean high tide level of the Atlantic Ocean and is particularly vulnerable to flooding, erosion and salinization. This relatively flat coast is protected by concrete and earthen sea-defense structures, with remaining areas covered by mangrove, sand and shell beaches. 

The only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana has a total land mass of 21.5 million hectares, a relatively small population over 750,000 (2020) persons and a population density of less than four persons per square kilometer. The country is considered a highly forested one, with 18.39 M hectares of tropical forest. Through sustainable management, Guyana has had relatively low historical rates of deforestation. Guyana is highly rich in natural resources and its economy is heavily dependent on exports of gold, bauxite, and agricultural products. Guyana became one of the top 20 largest oil and gas reserve holders in the world following a series of substantial discoveries offshore starting in 2015.

Guyana lies within the Equatorial Trough (ET) Zone. Its weather and climate are influenced primarily by the seasonal shifts of this trough and its associated Zone of Rainbands called the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Guyana enjoys a wet tropical climate with warm temperatures and abundant rainfall without the extremes of hot or cold. Guyana is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and other adverse effects of climate change, with increasing risk on its agriculture sector.