Demerara-Essequibo
Colony of Demerara-Essequibo | |||||||||||
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| 1812–1831 | |||||||||||
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Flag | |||||||||||
Map of Demerara-Essequibo following the slave rebellion in 1823, showing the disposition of plantations, Small crosses mark the places where slaves' heads or bodies were displayed | |||||||||||
| Status | De facto Colony of the United Kingdom (1812–1815) Colony of the United Kingdom (1815–1831) | ||||||||||
| Common languages | Dutch, Skepi Creole Dutch, English, Guyanese Creole, African languages, Akawaio, Macushi, Waiwai, Arawakan, Patamona, Warrau, Carib, Wapishana, Arekuna, Portuguese, Spanish, French | ||||||||||
| Monarch | |||||||||||
• 1812–1820 | George III | ||||||||||
• 1820–1830 | George IV | ||||||||||
• 1830–1831 | William IV | ||||||||||
| Lieutenant Governor | |||||||||||
• 1814–1824 | John Murray | ||||||||||
• 1824–1831 | Sir Benjamin d'Urban | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
• Established | 1812 | ||||||||||
• Disestablished | 1831 | ||||||||||
| Currency | British variety of the Dutch guilder | ||||||||||
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The Colony of Demerara-Essequibo was created on 28 April 1812, when the British combined the colonies of Demerara and Essequibo into the colony of Demerara-Essequibo. They were officially ceded to Britain on 13 August 1814. On 20 November 1815, the agreement was ratified by the Netherlands. On 21 July 1831, Demerara-Esequibo united with Berbice as British Guiana.