1. guiana an extensive tract of country in the N. of S. America fronting the Atlantic, bordering on Venezuela on the W., and for the rest hemmed in by Brazil; it is divided into British, Dutch, and French Guiana, all fronting the sea; the physical characteristics of all three are practically the same; a fertile alluvial foreshore, with upward-sloping savannahs and forests to the unexplored highlands, dense with luxuriant primeval forest; rivers numerous, climate humid and hot, with a plentiful rainfall; vegetation, fauna, &c., of the richest tropical nature; timber, balsams, medicinal barks, fruits, cane-sugar, rice, cereals, &c., are the chief products; also some gold. British Guiana (278) is the most westerly, and borders on Venezuela; area, 88,650 sq. m., divided into Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo; Georgetown (q. v.) is the capital. Dutch Guiana or Surinam (73) occupies the central position; area, 46,058 sq. m.; capitalParamaribo (q. v.). French Guiana or Cayenne (30) lies to the E.; area, 31,000 sq. m; capital, Cayenne (q. v.).
Definitions of guiana 
