Timeline of Guyana

Chronology

21 events spanning the history of Guyana. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1498

   Christopher Columbus sights Guyana.

   Christopher Columbus sights Guyana.

2. 1581

   Dutch begin settling on the Pomeroon River

   Dutch begin settling on the Pomeroon River

3. 1581

   Dutch begin settling on the Pomeroon River

   Sir Walter Raleigh explored the South American coast from the Orinoco River to the mouth of the Amazon, an area that he called “Guiana.”

4. 1616

   The Dutch became the first to establish colonies in Guyana with Essequibo.

   The Dutch became the first to establish colonies in Guyana with Essequibo. Berbice followed in 1627, and then Demerara in 1752.

5. 1620

   Dutch West India Company establishes a foothold in Guyana.

   Dutch West India Company establishes a foothold in Guyana, including armed bases, and imports slaves from Africa to work on the sugar plantations.

6. 1781

   British temporarily seize all 3 of the Dutch colonies.

   British temporarily seize all 3 of the Dutch colonies; Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.

7. 1783

   French temporarily seize the colonies.

   French temporarily seize the colonies.

8. 1796

   British temporarily seize the colonies.

   British temporarily seize the colonies.

9. 1803

   Final British conquest of colonies.

   Final British conquest of colonies.

10. 1814

    Formal Dutch cession of the colonies to the British at the Treaty of Paris.

    Formal Dutch cession of the colonies to the British at the Treaty of Paris. Britain occupies Guyana during the Napoleonic Wars.