Devil's Island

Devil's Island (French Île du Diable) is the smallest island of the three Iles du Salut located off the coast of French Guiana, with an area of 14 hectares. Geographic coordinates: {{coor dm|5|17|N|52|35|W}}. It was a notorious French penal colony until 1946.

Related Topics:
French - Iles du Salut - French Guiana - Hectare - Geographic coordinates - French - Penal colony - 1946

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The rocky, palm-covered island is 40 meters high and is most famous for its former prison for political prisoners and for its brutality. First opened by Emperor Napoleon III, Devil's Island would become one of the most famous prisons in history. In addition to the prison on the island, prison facilities were located on the mainland at Kourou. Over time, they became known collectively as "Devil's Island".

Related Topics:
Prison - Emperor Napoleon III - Island - Kourou

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Used by France from 1852 to 1946, its residents were everything from political prisoners to the most hardened of thieves and murderers (for example, anarchist Clément Duval). A great many of the more than 80,000 prisoners sent to the harsh conditions at disease-infested Devil's Island were never seen again. Other than by boat, the only way out was through an impenetrable jungle; accordingly, very few convicts ever managed to escape.

Related Topics:
France - 1852 - 1946 - Anarchist - Clément Duval - Boat - Convict

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The horrors of the penal settlement became notorious in 1895 with the publicity surrounding the plight of French army captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was sent there on January 5.

Related Topics:
1895 - Alfred Dreyfus - January 5

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