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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
Prefect Ange Mancini
Head of Regional Council Antoine Karam
Head of General Council Pierre Désert
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
Contents

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 Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa).

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.

Map Of French Guiana

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of French Guiana

Miscellaneous

References

  • The CIA World Factbook 2000
  • French Guiana map http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/travel/dg/maps/7a/750x750_frenchguiana_m.gif


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




Last updated: 02-07-2005 16:30:46
Last updated: 04-25-2005 03:06:01