Country Guide • French Guiana
French Guiana is situated on the north east coast of South America and is bordered by Brazil and by Surinam to the west. Along the coast runs a belt of flat marshy land behind which the land rises to higher slopes and plains or savannah. The interior is comprised of equatorial jungle.
| Official Name | Guyane Française |
|---|---|
| Area | 91,250km² (56,575mile²) |
| Population | 172,500 |
| Continent | South America |
| Population per mile² | 3 |
| Capital City | Cayenne |
| Religions | Roman Catholic majority, although there are other Christian churches |
| Language | French, French Guianese creole, Amerindian languages |
| Government | Overseas department of France |
| Currency | Euro |
| GDP | $1 billion |
| GDP per Head | $6,000 |
| Natural Resources | Timber, gold, bauxite and kaolin |
| Land Use | Arable Land % |
| Agriculture | Vegetables and rice |
| Industry | Fisheries predominantly shrimp, forest products and mining |
| Tourism | French Guiana boasts the highest standard of living of any 'country' in South America. Much ofthe country is rainforests but it does have some fantastic beaches. There are the normal watersports, plus hiking, canoeing and expoloring the rainforests |
| Natural Hazards | |
| Health Risks | Cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, yellow fever |
| Climate | Tropical. Dry season is August to December; rainy season is December and January and April to July. Hot all year round, with cooler nights. Average temperature is 27°C (85°F) |
| Time | GMT/UTC-3 hours |
| National Days | July 14 Bastille Day |
| Visas | Guiana is an Overseas Département of France. British nationals EU nationals and citizens of Switzerland and the USA with a valid passport do not need a visa to enter French Guiana. If you intend to work or to remain in French Guiana for more than three months, you should apply for a residence permit at the local Préfecture. All other foreign nationals require a visa |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
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