Tortuga is a Caribbean island which is part of Haiti. It was discovered in 1494 during Christopher Columbus's second voyage to the 'New World'. The word 'Tortuga' means 'Turtle' and is called such for its humped shape.
It was originally settled by Spanish settlers who managed to fortify the island. In 1625, English and French settlers who planned on going to the island of Hispaniola arrived on the island. Shortly thereafter, they were attacked by the Spanish who were successful in forcing the French and Englishmen off the island. Their army set out for Hispaniola in order to root out French settlers, but while they were gone, the French returned and took over the fort. By 1630 the Spanish were mostly run out and Tortuga was divided into English and French colonies. The division allowed the place to be a bit of a haven for pirates in the area.
Slavery never caught on in Tortuga, as it was said that the slaves were always out of control. In 1645 the Spanish returned, ran the colonists off the island, and then ended up leaving, themselves realizing the island was too small to be of any major importance. French, English, and Dutch settlers and pirates returned again, and after having to deal with a few more troubles with the Spanish, managed to hold the island on their own.
In 1945 the island was pretty chaotic, mostly due to all the pirate activity. The acting French governer reportedly imported hundreds of prostitutes in hopes that the pirates may calm down. By the 1670's, as piracy was in decline, many of the pirates began logging on the island as a source of income. But then, a famous pirate known as Henry Morgan arrived on the scene and began hiring the pirates of Tortuga to sail under him. Realizing how this could help them gain greater presence in the Caribbean, the French hired these pirates as a force for them.
The pirates were still never really easily controlled and managed to keep Tortuga as a neutral pirate haven. But, in 1684, piracy was mostly put to an end, and actual settlements were made on the island.