French Guiana

Guiana or French Guiana (French Guyane or Guyane française) is an overseas département (département d'outre-mer, or DOM) of France, located on the Caribbean coast of South America.

Guyane

Region	Guyane
Official language	French
Political status	Non-sovereign, overseas department of France
Department Number	971
Préfecture	Cayenne
Sous-préfecture	Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
Head of Regional Council
Head of General Council
Area  - Total  - % water	86,504 km²
Population  - Total (1999)  - Density	157,213 2/km²
Currency	Euro
Time zone	UTC -3
Calling Code	590
Internet TLD	.GF

History

Main article: History of French Guiana

First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements (see Devil's Island) until 1951.

Politics

Main article: Politics of French Guiana

As an integral part of France, French Guiana is part of the European Union, the largest part in area outside Europe and the only part outside Europe that is not an island (other than the small towns of Ceuta and Melilla).

Geography

Main article: Geography of French Guiana

French Guiana is located on the Caribbean coast of South America. To the west is Suriname, and Brazil is to the south and east.

See also: Communes of the Guyane département

Economy

Main article: Economy of French Guiana

The European Space Agency launches its satellites from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of French Guiana

Miscellaneous

• Communications in French Guiana
• Transportation in French Guiana
• Military of French Guiana
• Foreign relations of French Guiana

References

• The CIA World Factbook 2000

Countries in South America
Argentina | Bolivia | Brazil | Chile | Colombia | Ecuador | Guyana | Paraguay | Peru | Suriname | Uruguay | Venezuela
Dependencies: Falkland Islands | French Guiana