Van Diemen's Land

Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by Europeans for Tasmania, an island state of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to explore Tasmania, he named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt in honor of Anthony van Diemen, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies who had sent Tasman on his voyage of discovery in 1642.

Related Topics:
Europe - Tasmania - Australia - Dutch - Abel Tasman - Anthony van Diemen - Dutch East Indies - 1642

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In 1803, the island was colonized by the British as a penal colony and gave the new colony the name Van Diemen's Land.

Related Topics:
1803 - British - Penal colony

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