Guyana is a country located in the northernmost portion of South America that lies within the Amazon Basin. The country has a varied topography that includes vast low-lying plains, high plateau ranges and forested highlands. The topography has a significant influence on the climatic conditions in Guyana.
The terrain of Guyana consists primarily of a long and narrow coastal plain, which occupies approximately one quarter of the total land area of the country. The coastal plain is characterized by marshes, swamps, and alluvial flats and is generally flat with an elevation that ranges from -4 meters to 5 meters above sea level.
The remaining three quarters of the country are characterized by steep hills covered in dense tropical rainforests. The Pakaraima Mountains are the most prominent mountain ranges in the country, running along the western border and attaining peaks up to 2,000 meters. The Roraima plateau, one of the world's oldest geological formations, sits at the borders of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, with the tallest peak being Mount Roraima which reaches an elevation of 2,810 meters.
The undulating Rupununi savannahs that cover an area larger than Costa Rica are flanked by the Kanuku and Pakaraima mountains. The highest elevations in the Rupinuni are over 900 meters, and the lowlands in the same area can be as low as 300 meters.
Highest point
The highest point in Guyana is Mount Roraima, a tabletop mountain on the border with Venezuela and Brazil. Mount Roraima is 2,810 meters high and has several cliff edges and waterfalls. It has a unique ecological system that is home to many endemic species of flora and fauna.
Lowest point
The lowest point in Guyana is the Atlantic Ocean, with an elevation of 0 meters above sea level. The coastline of the country stretches for over 430 km, and a third of its population lives in this low-lying area.