Why is Guyana the only English-speaking country in South America?

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America primarily due to its unique history of British colonial rule. While much of the continent was colonized by Spain and Portugal, the territory that became Guyana was settled by the Dutch in the early 17th century.12

Control of the region shifted several times among the Dutch, French, and British during the late 18th century. In 1814, Britain acquired the regions of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice from the Netherlands, eventually uniting them in 1831 to form the colony of British Guiana. This period of British administration established English as the official language, a status it has maintained since the country gained independence in 1966.213

The country's linguistic identity is further linked to its historical connection with the British imperial history of the Caribbean region, where English-speaking colonies were more prevalent.4