return to Graphic Maps

worldatlas.com
dot
Africa | Antarctica | Arctic | Asia | Australia/Oceania | Caribbean | Central America | Europe | Islands of the World
Middle East | North America | South America | World Atlas | WIN $100 here


FRENCH GUIANA arrow A Brief Description Fast Facts Flag Landforms Lat/Long Links Maps Time Traveler Info Weather

French Guiana Map, South American Territories PRINT THIS MAP
A Brief Description

Many native American peoples occupied the northern edges of
South America for centuries. Then, in 1498, this land was visited by Christopher Columbus, on his second voyage to this New World.

As word of his discoveries spread across the European continent, intrepid Dutch and French citizens made the arduous ocean journey to this far away place, and attempted to build settlements at the beginnings of the 16th century. They were hopelessly unprepared for the inhospitable jungle conditions, and many died at the hands of territorial Indians and tropical disease.

Indigenous perils aside, aggressive exploration continued, as even the English, Portuguese and Spanish ventured in to search for unsubstantiated treasures - never in fact, found here. Regardless, powerful countries continued their efforts to control the area, some by force, others by negotiation, but in the end it was the persistent French who prevailed.

In the mid-1800s, after decades of struggle and thousands of deaths, several French plantations were operating somewhat successfully along the northern coastline, unfortunately on the backs of African slaves. France ended African slavery in the middle of the 19th century, and shortly thereafter, plantation life and all related profits from same collapsed.

Then facing severe prison overcrowding at home, the French government decided to make French Guiana a penal colony, and over time, they shipped many thousands of prisoners to Iles du Salut, and the now infamous Devil's Island.

In 1946, France gave French Guiana Overseas Department status, under which it's effectively an integral part of the French nation; represented in the French national assembly and senate, and governed by a prefect and an elected council.

Today, more than 90% of the population is still concentrated along the coastal areas, adjacent to the cities of Cayenne and Kourou, where incidentally, the European Space Agency has a satellite launch site.

In Affiliation with AllPosters.com
Iles du Salit, and Devil's Island
Travel the World through Poster Art!

Facts and Figures

arrow Name French Guiana

(long form) Department of Guiana

arrow Population 195,506

arrow Population & Density (all countries) here

arrow Capital City Cayenne (66,149)

arrow Currency Euro (EUR)

arrow Currency Converter here

arrow Languages French

arrow Flag here

arrow National Day July 14

arrow Religions Catholic

Geographic Coordinates

arrow Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
4º 56' N, 52º 20' W

arrow Relative Location French Guiana is positioned in the northern and western
hemispheres. It's located on the northeastern edge of South America, and bordered by Suriname, Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean.

Land Statistics

arrow Coastline 235 miles (378 km)

arrow Land Areas

(land) 34,421 sq miles (89,150 sq km)

(water) 714 sq miles (1,850 sq km)

(TOTAL) 35,135 sq miles (91,000 sq km)

arrow Land Area (all countries) here

arrow Landforms A narrow coastal strip fronts the Atlantic Ocean coastline of French Guiana; to the south, the land is literally an unsettled wilderness, covered by a dense jungle and parts of the Amazon rain forest, and dissected by dozens and dozens of rivers. Offshore islands include Iles du Salut (and Devil's Island).

French Guiana's land begins to gently rise in the central regions of the country, ending at the base of the Tumac-Humac Mountains, along its southern border with Brazil.

French Guinea is a land of rivers, many flowing north from the southern mountains; major ones include the Maroni and Lawa, forming its (disputed) border with Suriname; the Oyapok, forming a long natural border with Brazil, and the Approuaque, Camopi, Mana and Tompok.

The Barrage de Petit-Saut hydroelectric dam in the far north eventually formed a large artificial lake to the northeast of St Elie.

arrow Highest Pt. Bellevue de l'Inini - 2,792 ft. (851 m)

arrow Lowest Pt. Atlantic Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)

arrow Land Divisions French Guiana is divided into two arrondissements - Cayenne and Saint-Laurent Du Maroni - and 19 cantons and 22 towns and villages.

search and find



Contact Us | Privacy Statement

Copyrighted by Graphic Maps
All rights reserved!

All maps, graphics, flags and original descriptions created by Graphic Maps, a d/b/a of the Woolwine-Moen Group, unless otherwise noted and/or directly linked to the source, and use of same for any application whatsoever (with the exception of outline maps) requires written permission.

We make no copyright claim on any statistical data on this page, nor on any non-original graphics, and/or pictures not produced by us. Certain statistical data is gathered from the CIA World Factbook, as well as numerous public domain reference materials.

Every effort is made to be as accurate as possible when disseminating information on any worldwide destination. We are not responsible for unintentional data entry errors or omissions. If you would like to submit an addition, change or correction, or suggest a new link, please forward it to our map department and we will give it our immediate attention.


return to Graphic Maps
worldatlas.com
Maps

arrow French Guiana (large color) Map
here

arrow French Guiana Outline Map here

arrow French Guiana CIA version here

arrow French Guiana Maps at UT here

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

arrow South America (Bodies of Water) here!

arrow South America (Capital Cities) here!

arrow South America (Landforms) here!

arrow South America (Outline) here!

arrow South America (Country Test) here!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

arrow World Outline Maps (printable) here

arrow World Time Zone Map here



Recommended Links

arrow French Guiana (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more
here

arrow Embassy of France (Washington, DC) here

arrow French Guiana Photos here

arrow French Guiana Tourism Board here

In Affiliation with AllPosters.com
Ruins on the infamous Devil's Island
Travel the World through Poster Art!


Time and Weather



arrow Climate Located just north of the Equator, tropical French Guiana's weather is hot and humid throughout the year.

In Cayenne, the capital city, average daily high temperatures reach into the mid- 80s, with some days reaching well into the low 90s. Tradewinds frequently moderate the coastal areas, reducing afternoon humidity.

Rainfall amounts vary, but in general terms, the dry season runs (June - November), while the wet (or heaviest rains) occur (December - May).
Click for Forecast Click for Forecast Click for Forecast Click for Forecast

Traveler Info

arrow Attractions: On the international tourism scene, French Guiana, the oldest overseas possession of
France, is not a well-known destination. However, it should be, as the biodiversity of this tropical wildlife paradise has few peers on the planet.

Major attractions include a series of nature preserves, featuring thousands of extraordinary animal and plant species; beautiful, unspoiled beaches; quality game fishing; scuba diving venues; adventure tours into the Amazon rain forest, and much, much more.

Additional points-of-interest include notorious the Devil's Island, and tours of its one-time penal colony remain; the culture, history and museums of Cayenne; a visit to Kourou and the European Space Agency communication satellite launch center.

arrow Country Dialing Code 594

arrow Electricity French Guyana - 220/127 volts AC (50 Hz)

Electrical adapters, products and tips here

arrow Travel Warnings here

PASSPORTS - TRAVEL VISAS



NOTE: Before making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding all passport and visa requirements. The experienced people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!

search and find

South America
Countries

arrow

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela


Falkland Islands
(a territory)

French Guiana
(a territory)

Galapagos Islands
(a territory)

arrow

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela


Falkland Islands
(a territory)

French Guiana
(a territory)

Galapagos Islands
(a territory)

arrow

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela


Falkland Islands
(a territory)

French Guiana
(a territory)

Galapagos Islands
(a territory)

In Affiliation with AllPosters.com
Native Indians
Travel the World through Poster Art!


arrow

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela


Falkland Islands
(a territory)

French Guiana
(a territory)

Galapagos Islands
(a territory)

arrow

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela


Falkland Islands
(a territory)

French Guiana
(a territory)

Galapagos Islands
(a territory)
dot search and find