Note: The original inhabitants (now referred to as Amerindians) of the northern area of South America known as the Guianas are related to other tribes of the continent. 1565 - Sir Walter Raleigh's exploration discovered the land now known as Guiana. 1594 -Sir Robert Dudley lands in Trinidad and makes inquiries about the ingenious myth created to make explorers go elsewhere, the Empire of El Dorado 1598 - First voyage to Guiana by the Dutch. 1621 - A charter for the Essequebo is received by the Dutch West India Company 1640 - First African slaves arrive in the colonies 1666 - War between England and Holland. 1763 -The Berbice (then a separate Dutch colony) Slave Rebellion 1781 - The colonies of Demerara, Essequebo, and Berbice taken by the English. 1782 - Under the command of the Marquis de Lusignan, the French allies of Holland, take the three colonies. The French build a new town called "Longchamps" near the mouth of the Demerara 1783/4 - The colonies are restored to Holland and they choose Longchamps as the capital and rename it "Stabroek". 1796 - Another war between England and Holland and the English again take the colonies 1802 - A treaty at Amiens returns the colonies to the Dutch 1803 - The war between England and Holland continues and the Dutch, once again, turn over the colonies to the English 1812 - Capitol city of Stabroek is renamed 'Georgetown' by the British 1814 - As a result of the great peace, the three colonies of Demerara, Essequebo and Berbice are assigned to England 1822 - A new town named New Amsterdam is constructed in Berbice 1835 - As African slaves gain freedom, labourers from Portugal are imported 1838 - On August 1, 1838, "Negroes were fully liberated" 1838 - The first East Indian indentured labourers from South India, arrive in Guiana. 1838 - By a new ordinance, the Colony is divided into three counties of Demerara, Essequebo, and Berbice. 1843 - Many labourers from India return to their homeland when the period of indenture ends Mid 1840's - England suspends the indentured labourer system but allows labourers from India, Madeira Portugal and China under Government control. 1870 - Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River in central Guyana is discovered by a geological survey team 1874 - The last contract Chinese labourers arrive in Demerara. 1879 - The Botanical Gardens are constructed at the eastern end of the Georgetown's city limits 1880's -Inspired by Dutch architecture, Stabroek Market is constructed. 1899 - The country's borders are established by an International Tribunal 1946 -The population of Guiana established as 375,819 by census 1961 - As a prelude to independence from England, elections are held under Internal Self-Government Constitution with the PPP Party as winner 1966 -On May 26, 1966, British troops leave the colony of British Guiana. The new independent country changes it name to "Guyana". 1970 - Guyana restructures the government and becomes the "Republic Of
Guyana".
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