French Guiana By Sophonie AUGUSTE (grade 10 European section) The first inhabitants The first inhabitants of Amazonia came from East Asia more than 6,000 years ago after passing through the Pacific Ocean. They are the source of the Native American civilization. In French Guiana, in the heart of the forest, there are archaeological traces of their passage: pottery, rock carvings, polishers Christopher Columbus in French Guiana After the discovery of America on October 12th, 1492, Chistopher Columbus began trips to explore America. On August 1st, 1498, Christopher Columbus entered the Gulf of Paria in Venezuela after skirting the coast of French Guiana. But it was Vincente Yanez Pinzon who would explore it two years later. French Guiana, a slave territory Since 1656 Dutch settlers brought with them African slaves. The first French settled in They were in competition with the British and the Dutch. In 1676, French Guiana became a French territory and a slave colony. A development allowed the export of achiote, indigo, cotton, sugar cane, coffee, vanilla, exotic wood. Disembarkation of African slaves in French Guiana. French Guiana, a slave territory In 1685, Colbert, Louis XIV's Minister organized the slave system by enacting "The Black Code". In 1794, under the Republic, a statute abolished slavery officially. But, it will be restored in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. African slaves Some black people refused to become slaves and went maroons . They fled into the forest, joining the Maroons" of former Dutch Guiana (now Suriname) already settled. They are the ancestors of Bush-Negroes living today mainly along the banks of the Maroni river. Marooning in French Guiana A maroon The abolition of slavery in 1848 and the departure of slaves from plantations collapsed French Guianese economy. In 1852, Napoleon III put in place a penal colony in French Guiana for relgu people (sentenced people). There were several prisons in different places (Saint- Laurent du Maroni, Montsinery- Tonngrande). From 1848 to 1946 Cells The Devils Island In 1855, the first gold mining site was found on a tributary of the Aprouague. In 1946, Gaston Monnerville definitely closed the penal colony. And, in 1946, French Guiana became an oversea department. From 1848 to 1946 Gaston Monnerville Nowadays In 1965, the Guiana Space Center was built in and space activity quickly became an important part of both the economy and French Guianese life. Since 1982, with the decentralization laws, French Guiana became a region. A transfer of competences from national to local authorities was set up. Ariane 5 launcher Nowadays Migration flows are increasing, particularly related to social and economic crises of Brazil, Suriname and Haiti. There will be soon only one local authority combining the Region and the department authorities. French Guiana coat of arms