Located on the mouth of the Demerara River fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Georgetown, originally called Stabroek, was an ideal location for European presence in the Caribbean. Rich in timber, bauxite, gold and diamonds, the land supported sugar cane plantations and enriched the colonial governments. The Spanish, Dutch, French and English all had their eyes on this region and for years each struggled to possess it.
Georgetown lies below the high-tide level, protected by a seawall with a series of canals crisscrossing the city. When rains are heavy, flooding, as occurred in early 2005, is a risk.