- Population:
- 309,000
- Religion:
- Christianity
French Guiana was a French colony from the 17th century and remains an overseas department of France. It is known for the Guiana Space Centre, dense rainforests, and a small but diverse economy focused on space technology and mining.
French Guiana is an overseas department and region of France located on the northeastern coast of South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the south and east, Suriname to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Covering an area of approximately 83,534 square kilometers, it is the largest overseas region of France. As of January 2024, French Guiana has a population of about 295,385 people. The capital and largest city is Cayenne. The official language is French, with Guianan Creole also widely spoken. As an integral part of France, French Guiana is part of the European Union and its currency is the euro. The economy is largely based on the presence of the Guiana Space Centre, agriculture, fishing, and ecotourism. The territory is known for its rich biodiversity, with vast tropical rainforests and numerous protected areas.