French Guiana Guide and Resources

Check for available hotels in French Guiana

Location
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly smaller than Indiana

Geographic Coordinates
4 00 N, 53 00 W

Capital
Cayenne

Nationality
French Guianese (singular and plural)

Currency
euro (EUR); French franc (FRF)

Languages Spoken
French

Population
182,333 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.13 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic Groups
black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10%

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic

Geographic Areas
Total :: 91,000 sq km
Land :: 89,150 sq km
Water :: 1,850 sq km
Coastline :: 378 km

Bordered By
Brazil, Suriname

Argentina Climate
tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain
low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains

Natural Resources
bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish

Natural Hazards
high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding

Brief Geography Notes
mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent

Government
overseas department of France

Administrative Districts
None