FEANCE.
Colonies.
The Colonial Possessions of France, dispersed over Asia, Africa, America, and Polynesia, embrace, inclusive of the so-called ' Pays proteges,' or Countries under Protection, a total area of 1,205,950 square kilometres, or 463,827 English square miles. Not comprised in the list is Algeria, which has a government and laws distinct from the other Colonial Possessions, being looked upon, partly from its proximity to France, and partly from serving as camp and practice- field of a large portion of the standing army, as a more immediate annex of the mother country. The estimated area and population of the various Colonies and Countries under Protection, together with the date of their first settlement, or capture, is shown in the subjoined table, compiled from the latest official returns.
I. Colonies.
Asia : —
Possessions in India . Cochin-China, old provinces „ new provinces
Total of Asia Africa : —
(Senegal settlements .
Gold coast and Gaboon
Island of Reunion, or Bourbon .
„ „ St. Marie . Islands of Mayotte and Nossi-Be
Total of Africa . America : —
Guiana, or Cayenne . Guadeloupe and Dependencies . Martinique .... St. Pierre and Miguelon .
Total of America . 'Polynesia : —
New Caledonia .... Loyalty islands. Marquesas islands
Total of Polynesia. Total, colonies
Date of Acquisi- tion
Area.
Square
kilometres
Population
1679 1861 1867
509 22,380 33,864
227,063 502,116 477,000
1637 1843 1649 1635
1 S ! ;■!
1604 1634 1635 1635
1854 1864 1841
56,753
1,206,179
250,000
20,000
2,511
910
520
607,398
186,133
207,886
6,110
20,717
273,941
1,028,244
90,854
1,645
988
210
24,432
151.594
139,109
3,799
93,697
318,934
17,400 2,147 1,244
29,000 15,000 10,000
20,791
54,000
1,114,782
2,607,357
