Georgetown is the capital of Guyana, the only English-speaking country on mainland South America.
The city lies on Guyana’s Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Demerara River. It was established by the British in 1781 and named Georgetown in honor of King George III. Before and between British periods, the settlement was known by Dutch names, including Stabroek.
Georgetown became the capital of British Guiana in 1812. Its low-lying position means that canals, drainage ditches, sea walls, and sluices are essential parts of the city’s landscape. Much of the city is below high-tide level.
Guyana’s official language is English, reflecting its British colonial history. Neighboring Suriname is Dutch-speaking, while French Guiana, directly east of Guyana, is an overseas department of France. This linguistic contrast makes Georgetown especially distinctive in continental South America.