French Guiana is a small country located on the northeastern coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and east, and Suriname to the west. French Guiana is an overseas department of France and is part of the European Union. It is the only country in South America that is still a part of a European nation. The capital of French Guiana is Cayenne.
French Guiana has a rich and varied history. It was first inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples, who were later replaced by the French in the 17th century. The first French settlers in French Guiana were led by Pierre Belain d’Esnambuc in 1635. The French were followed by the Dutch, who were in turn replaced by the British in the 18th century.
In 1763, the Treaty of Paris ceded French Guiana to the British. The British used the area as a penal colony, sending convicts from Europe to work in the area’s sugar and coffee plantations. This period of British rule lasted until 1814, when the Treaty of Paris returned the territory to France.
In 1852, the French government established the commune of Roura in French Guiana. The commune was located in the southern part of the country, near the Maroni River. Roura was created as a penal colony for political prisoners. It was a harsh and isolated place, with no roads or communication with the outside world.
The prisoners of Roura were forced to build the infrastructure of the commune, including roads, bridges, and buildings. The prisoners were also forced to work in the sugar and coffee plantations, and were subject to harsh punishments, including flogging and solitary confinement.
In the late 19th century, Roura was abandoned as a penal colony and the prisoners were released. The commune was transformed into a small farming community, and it remains a rural area today.
Roura is home to a number of historic sites, including the remains of the prison buildings, the old sugar and coffee plantations, and several old churches. The town also has a museum dedicated to the history of the area, which includes artifacts from the early settlers and the prisoners of the penal colony.
Today, Roura is a quiet and peaceful town. It is a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming to explore its history and admire its natural beauty. Roura is also an important part of French Guiana’s cultural heritage, and is a reminder of the country’s unique and varied history.