[2] In 1744, Fort Zeelandia was constructed and served as the capital of Essequibo, a Dutch colony which is nowadays part of Guyana.

[2] In 1679, Abraham Beekman, the Dutch Governor of the Essequibo colony, ordered the construction of a wooden fort on the island.

[2] The fort suffered severe damage during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War.

[6] In 1752, the Court of Policy was built on the island which served as the legislative body for the colony.

[4] The ferry from Parika to Bartica makes a stop at Fort Island.