The Îles du Salut (in English: Safety Islands) are a group of small islands of volcanic origin about 11 km off the coast of French Guiana (14 km north of Kourou) in the Atlantic Ocean. Although closer to Kourou, the islands are part of Cayenne commune (municipality), specifically Cayenne 1er Canton Nord-Ouest.
There are three islands, from north to south:
| Island | Area (ha) | Height (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Île du Diable | 14 | 40 |
| Île Royale | 28 | 66 |
| Île Saint-Joseph | 20 | 30 |
| TOTAL | 62 | 66 |
Île du Diable is better known to English speakers as Devil's Island. The total area is 0.62 km² (62 hectares). Île du Diable and Île Royale are separated by Passe des Grenadines, Île Royale and Île Saint-Joseph by Passe de Désirade. The islands were used as a penal colony from 1852 onwards, earning them a reputation for harshness and brutality. This system was gradually phased out and has been completely shut down since 1953. Nowadays the islands are a popular tourist destination. The islands were featured in the novel by Henri Charriere, 'Papillon'. He was imprisoned here for 9 years.
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Last updated on Sunday September 21, 2008 at 14:06:02 PDT (GMT -0700)
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