I.) Separate Colonies : Essequebo, Demerary, Berbice under the Dutch

European discovery of the coast of modern Guyana 1498. The first European settlement : Essequibo 1616 (Dutch); in 1621 it became property of the West Indische Compagnie. In 1627 a second Dutch settlement was established at Berbice (founded by a Zeelander; not W.I.C. property, since 1720 administrated by the Berbice Society), in 1741 a third one, Demerara (W.I.C.). In 1792 the hitherto separate colonies wewre merged to form the United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo; Berbice remained separate. 1796-1802, 1804-1814 British occupation.

II.) Separate Colonies : Essequibo & Demerara, Berbice under the British

In 1814 the Netherlands ceded Demerara & Essequibo as well as Berbice to Britain. Slave rebellion at Essequibo 1823.

III.) British Guiana

In 1831, Demerara & Essequibo and Berbice were merged to form British Guiana. Slavery abolished in 1834 (apprenticeship system until 1844; then indentured labourers were brought into the country; the first Indians arrived in 1838, the first Chinese in 1853. The decline of the sugar industry began in the late 19th century. Until 1899 Anglicanism was official religion. Autonomy introduced 1953.

IV.) Guyana