| 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]