| Conventional Long Name: | Colony of Demerara-Essequibo |
| Common Name: | Demerara-Essequibo |
| Status: | De facto Colony of the United Kingdom (1812–1815) Colony of the United Kingdom (1815–1831) |
| Year Start: | 1812 |
| Year End: | 1831 |
| P1: | Essequibo (colony) |
| Flag P1: | Flag of the United Kingdom.svg |
| P2: | Demerara |
| Flag P2: | Flag of the United Kingdom.svg |
| S1: | British Guiana |
| Flag S1: | Flag of British Guiana (1919–1955).svg |
| Flag: | Flag of the United Kingdom.svg |
| Flag Type: | Flag |
| Image Map Caption: | 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 |
| Common Languages: | Dutch, Skepi Creole Dutch, English, Guyanese Creole, African languages, Akawaio, Macushi, Waiwai, Arawakan, Patamona, Warrau, Carib, Wapishana, Arekuna, Portuguese, Spanish, French |
| Title Leader: | Monarch |
| Leader1: | George III |
| Year Leader1: | 1812–1820 |
| Leader2: | George IV |
| Year Leader2: | 1820–1830 |
| Leader3: | William IV |
| Year Leader3: | 1830–1831 |
| Title Representative: | Lieutenant Governor |
| Representative1: | John Murray |
| Representative2: | Sir Benjamin d'Urban |
| Year Representative1: | 1814–1824 |
| Year Representative2: | 1824–1831 |
| Currency: | British variety of the Dutch guilder |
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.[1] On 21 July 1831, Demerara-Esequibo united with Berbice as British Guiana.[2]
In 1745, Demerara was created as a separate Dutch colony out of a part of Essequibo. Demerara quickly became more successful than Essequibo. The rivalry between the colonies resulted in the creation of a combined Court of Policy in Fort Zeelandia in 1783, and both colonies were governed by the same governor; however, there were still two Courts of Justice, one for Demerara and one for Essequibo.[3] On 28 April 1812, the two colonies were officially combined, however 1815 is used as end date, because the ratification eliminated the last legal obstacles.[1]
On 18 August 1823, there was a slave rebellion involving more than 10,000 slaves, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of slaves.[4]
On 21 July 1831, Demerara-Esequibo united with Berbice as British Guiana.[2]
The colony continued to use Dutch currency throughout British control, with issued coins ranging from 3 bits up to 3 guilder. Coins bearing the colony's name were minted from 1809 to 1835. The Dutch currency was demonetised after unification and in 1839 was replaced with the British Guiana dollar.[5]