Is Guyana Below Sea Level? Setting the Record Straight

Contrary to a common misconception, Guyana as a whole is not below sea level. The country's coastline generally sits at or slightly above sea level. However, certain low-lying coastal areas have experienced subsidence—gradual sinking of the land—exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels, placing them technically below sea level.

The majority of Guyana's landmass lies well above sea level. The nation's highest point is Mount Roraima, which towers at 2,810 meters (9,219 feet) above sea level. While coastal flooding is a genuine concern for the population centers near the Atlantic, the country's geography is far more varied than the "below sea level" label suggests.