French colonization of the Americas From 1851 to 1951 it was the site of a notorious penal colony, Devil's Island ("Île du Diable"). Since 1946, French Guiana has been an overseas department of France. French colonization of the Americas The French colonization of the Americas began in the 16th century, and continued on into the following centuries as France established a colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere. France founded colonies in much of eastern North America, on a number of Caribbean islands, and in South America. Most colonies were developed to export products such as fish, rice sugar, and furs. As they colonized the New
Reginald (given name) the Old Norse "Rögnvaldr". This name was later reinforced by the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century, in the Norman forms "Reinald" and "Reynaud". The Latin "Reginaldus" was used as a Latin form of cognate names, such as the Old Norse "Rögnvaldr", and the Gaelic "Ragnall" and "Raghnall". Another French form, "Renouard", was introduced by the Visigoths. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the alternate spelling "Renoir" also came into use. Today "Reginald" is regarded as a very formal name, and bearers generally shorten their name to "Reg" in ordinary usage. "Reggie" is a pet form of "Reg".