French Guiana Information, Geography and History

INTRODUCTION

•  Full name: Guyane Française

•  Capital City: Cayenne

•  Language: French (official), French Guianese creole & Amerindian languages (spoken)

•  Currency: Euro (€)

•  Religion: Catholic

•  National Anthem: La Marseillaise

•  Newspaper: Saint Laurent du Moroni, Kourou, Rémire-Montjoly

•  Places to Visit: Trésor & Kaw Nature Reserves, Réserve Animalière Macourienne, Îles du Salut, Kourou, Cayenne

•  Transport: Air links with Europe, mainly France within French Guiana. Avail passenger ferry to Albina by crossing over Suriname from St Laurent du Maroni. River transport, car and buses are available.

•  Shopping: Basketry, hammocks, pottery, embroidery,wood sculpture and gold jewelry.

Get a colorful blend of cultural background where one can explore the astonishing historical significance of French Guiana that still retains itself with the past traces that has been left behind from ages. From canoeing down the clear waters of the river to gazing the delivery of leatherback turtles, from experiencing the beautiful scenic flight of the toucans to looking out for gold, this place has enough to offer.

LOCATION OF FRENCH GUIANA

French Guiana is nestled within France which is lying adjacent to the European Union. Known as the smallest political entity placed within the South American mainland that engulfs the Atlantic Ocean towards the northend side, Brazil from the eastern and southern side, and Suriname towards the western side.

PHYSICAL MAP OF FRENCH GUIANA

French Guiana can be separated into two distinct regions:

•  The coastal strip along which the majority of the population reside in.

•  The dense untouched rainforest area from where the Tumac-Humac Mountains, ascends along the Brazilian frontier.

The highest peak in French Guiana is Bellevue de l'Inini, which extend along with ranges like Mont Machalou, Pic Coudreau and Mont St Marcel, Mont Favard and Montagne du Mahury.

An artificial lake built in the north of French Guiana, which is known as The Barrage de Petit-Saut hydroelectric dam provides hydroelectricity within the region.

CLIMATE OF FRENCH GUIANA

The climatic condition of French Guiana is typical tropical in nature affected with hot and sultry condition. The place experiences mainly two main seasons wherein:

• The month of August to December are considered as Dry season.
• The months of December to June are affected with severe down pouring.

French Guiana is hot throughout the year especially nights being relatively cooler.

The Average annual rainfall is nearly 2,500 mm generally hit by snowfall, while the average temperature being 27°C.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF FRENCH GUIANA

The native flora of French Guiana includes species like the Chlorocardium , which is even referred to as sipiri, beeberu and bibiru. It is an evergreen tree which is strong and hardy which is found in abundance here. Another dry-season deciduous tree that can be sighted here are the Platonia tree, which has its close resembles to a papaya.

The native fauna of French Guiana includes Silky Anteater, Weeper Capuchin, Jaguar, White-faced Saki, Brazilian Squirrel, White-tailed Deer, Lachesis muta, Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel, Black-tailed Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, Dendrobates tinctorius, Corydoras geoffroy and many others.

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