Greatest events in the History of French Guiana

French Guiana has witnessed many important events throughout history. Here are some of the biggest events in the history of French Guiana:

1. First European settlement (17th century): The French began settling on the coast of Guyana in 1604. In 1664, the French established a permanent presence in the region by establishing settlements such as Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and Cayenne.

2. Slavery period (18th century): French Guiana had an economy largely based on slave labor in the 18th century. Slaves were put to work on sugar cane and coffee plantations, and the system of slavery continued until it was officially abolished by the French government in 1848.

3. The Dreyfus Affair (1894): French officer Alfred Dreyfus was falsely accused and imprisoned on espionage charges. Dreyfus was exiled to French Guiana in 1895, where he was imprisoned. This incident created a huge controversy over anti-Semitism and errors in the justice system and led to international recognition of French Guiana.

4. Penal colony (19th and 20th centuries): French Guiana was used as a penal colony of France starting in the 19th century. Prison sentences were carried out under harsh conditions where criminals sent from France worked here. During this period, the Îles du Salut, a prison for incarcerated criminals known as the famous "Devil's Island", also became an important location.

5. Spaceport (1968-present): French Guiana was selected as a spaceport by the French government in 1968. Kourou Space Center is one of the most important launch centers of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Ariane rockets are launched here. This was a major turning point for the economic and technological development of the region. Many other events have occurred throughout the history of French Guiana, but those mentioned above are some of the most important events in the history of the region.