Van Diemens Land

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Van Diemen's Land Original name of Tasmania. Discovered (1642) by Abel Tasman, it was named in honour of the governor general of the Dutch East Indies. It became part of New South Wales in 1803, was made a separate colony in 1825, given self-government in 1850, and named Tasmania in 1855.

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Van Diemen's land

views updated May 29 2018

Van Diemen's land former name (until 1855) for Tasmania (see Abel Tasman).

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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Anton van Diemen

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