Île Portal is an island in the Maroni River in the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana.[3] The island measures 27 km2[1]
Île Portal | |
---|---|
Island | |
![]() ![]() Île Portal Location in French Guiana | |
Coordinates: 5.4056°N 54.1084°W / 5.4056; -54.1084 | |
Country | France |
Overseas region | French Guiana |
Arrondissement | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni |
Commune | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni |
Area | |
• Total | 27 km2 (10 sq mi) |
Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 124 |
• Density | 4.6/km2 (12/sq mi) |
In 1852, Constant Bar started a plantation on the island to produce coffee, sugar and wood. The workforce consisted of African and East-Indian immigrants, and French convicts from the penal colony.[4] In 1878, the island was visited by the explorer Jules Crevaux who noted that four brothers were operating the plantation.[5] In the early 20th century, the island was bought by Talon who started a distillery on the island. In 1964, the distillery and the buildings burnt down in a fire.[4]
About 200 Kalina Amerindians used to live on the island. In the late 1970s, the island was bought[6] by SCI de Provence,[7] a real estate company, who wanted the Amerindians off their land.[6] In 1981, they were told to leave the island, and resettle in Espérance.[8]
In 1983, the Prefecture of French Guiana refused to forcibly remove the remaining population of the island. SCI de Provence has sued the State for damages.[7] In 2011, there were still 124 people living on the island.[2] As of 2018, there are little camps along the river. There is no school on the island, and the children have to take a pirogue to the mainland followed by a bus to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni.[3] As of 2019, SCI de Provence is still in litigation.[9]
Crevaux used the surname Bard and not Bar
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(help)Legal document from 2000 which states that SCI de Provence owns the whole island
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(help)