In 1997 I did an economic study on Guyana. The study was centered on how the only English-speaking country in South America could be so poor. Guyana was/is full bursting with natural resources to include lumber, gold, and fresh water. Yet Guyana on many scales was the poorest country in South America (in 1997). Two other weird facts, Guyana as a country only had one full-service hospital, and one properly paved main road.
On a good note- Guyana made one outstanding sipping rum- El Dorado.
And if anyone cares why an English-speaking country so rich in natural resources was so very poor- gridlock between two diverse groups. French Guyana, its neighbor to the South is so much better off than Guyana. Britian granted Guyana independence, and Guyana (as of 1997) was not healthy in managing its independence. French Guyana is still a territory of France.