The Dutch established the first European colony in 1616, at  trading post on the Essequibo River through which they traded with the indigenous people. In 1746 the Dutch opened the area near the Demerara River to British immigrants, and by 1760 the British constituted a majority of the population of Demerara. In 1781 war broke out between the Netherlands and Britain, resulting in the British occupation of Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara.

The colonies changed hands again several times until, in 1814, they were formally ceded to Britain. Berbice and the United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo were unified as British Guiana in 1831. Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice are still the names used today for the three counties of Guyana.