FRENCH GUIANA
Located on the northeastern coast of South America and set between the Caribbean and the Amazon, French Guiana is an overseas department of France.
Indigenous Americans, the Arawak and Carib Amerindians, were the original inhabitants of this region, but during the 17th century it saw the formation of French settlements.
The French made it a region for their penal settlements by deporting and trying thousands of convicts there between 1852 and 1951.
The French were followed by other Europeans- the Dutch, British, Spanish and Portuguese.
It was in 1946 that French Guiana finally became an overseas department of France.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
On the north the country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east and south by Brazil, and on the west by Suriname. It stretches to cover an area of 34, 750 sq. kilometers.
More than four-fifths of the land surface of French Guiana is under Extensive forests cover, which is rich in commercial timber.
The country is hot and humid, almost all year round, due to its tropical climate. From December to June there is a long rainy season and the weather conditions are a bit cooler a little before and after this season. So the best time of the year when you should plan a visit would be at the end of either rainy season, in late January or late August, when the discharge of water over Kaieteur Falls is greatest.
ECONOMY AND CURRENCY
The country has adopted the Euro as its monetary unit. Being an overseas department of France, benefits from French financial support. The space center at Kourou accounts for a significant percentage of the Department's GDP and employs about 1700 people. The other major industries are fishing and forestry.
PEOPLE, CURRENCY AND LANGUAGES
The estimated population of French Guiana is over 210,000. Nearly all the residents of French Guiana are Creoles and most of the people live in Cayenne, the capital and main port, and along the coast. The interior, remote regions of the land are occupied by the Native American people.
All business and most common dialogue is conducted using the mainstream French, making it the official language of the country.
There are heavy influences of French culture in almost every facet of the lives of the country’s citizens. However, the Native Americans have preserved their own culture.
CAPITAL AND MAJOR CITIES
Cayenne is the largest city and the administrative capital of the French Guiana.
The other major cities of the country are:
Kourou- it is a small city which hosts the country’s space center and Arianespace.
Saint Laurent- it forms the natural border between Surinam and French Guiana as it is located on the Maroni River. The city came into existence as it was used as a place for deporting and processing criminals.
Saint Georges- forms the natural border between Brazil and French Guiana, being situated on Oyapock River.
HOW TO REACH
Air
The national airline Air Guyane only offers internal services. It is Air France that operates flights to Cayenne from Paris. Air Canada and Suriname Airways are the other airlines serving the country.
The main airport Cayenne (CAY) (Rochambeau) is 15km (9 miles) southwest of the city and Taxis are available from there to the city or hotel.
Water
The main ports of the country are Cayenne, Kourou and St Laurent du Maroni and there are ferries across the Maroni River from St Laurent du Moroni to Albina (Surinam). From Albina there is a road to Paramaribo. There are also services operating from St Georges to Oiapoque (Brazil) across the Oyapock River.
Road
Along the coast from Guyana through Surinam to French Guiana, there is a reasonably good road there is another all weather road connecting Cayenne with St Laurent, which sometimes becomes impassable during the rainy season.
HOLIDAYING IN FRENCH GUIANA
Activities
This beautiful country is filled with water related activities to indulge in:
- At Ile de Cayenne, Kourou and Montjoly, there are great opportunities to swim unstoppably.
- To watch leatherback turtles lay their eggs between April to July, be sure to make a trip to Montjoly, Cayenne's best beach, which is only a short drive away from the city.
- A popular activity in the country is Sea fishing; it gives you a chance to fish for sharks and other big fish in the open sea.
- Participate in dugout canoe trips which and take place throughout the country including the Kourou, Iracabo, Counamana and the lower Sinnamary and range from an hour and a half to full day adventures.
- The Fourgassé Falls, located about an hour from Kourou, is one of the most ideal picnic spots.
- The Mouragues Nature Reserve, which stretches from Roura to Régina and is renowned for its diverse scenery and flora, giving you the chance to discover exotic nature and a varied wildlife.
- The country has some good trekking trails and the interior; jungle shelters are available for overnight stops.
- For a doze of adrenalin mountain bikes can be hired in Cayenne, Saül, Montsinery-Tonnegrade, St Laurent and St Georges for trips through the primary forest.
- Be sure to participate in the 'King Carnival' starts after Epiphany and goes on until Ash Wednesday and in which carnival groups delight the thronging crowds with their multicolored costumes and the frenetic rhythm of their music, every Sunday for over two months.
Sightseeing
- Explore Cayenne, French Guiana’s capital and chief port, for its points of interest, which include- the Jesuit-built residence of the Prefect in the Place de Grenoble, the Canal Laussat (built in 1777) and the Botanical Gardens. The Musée Départemental Franconie and the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises, which lie in the center of town, feature good exhibits on indigenous peoples and the notorious penal settlements on Devil’s Island. All the exploring will leave you in want of refreshments, for that visit the lively cafes and market stalls in the Place des Palmistes.
- Tour the Space Center at Kourou, which is something of a European enclave and its Ultra-modern buildings now dominate the city. It also has several restaurants and two good hotels, in cast you want to put up there.
- The highlight of the French Guiana holiday would undoubtedly be a trip to the infamous Devil’s Island where political prisoners were held.
Shopping
No holiday is complete without shopping for the local goods and handicrafts; at French Guiana you can select from a wide range of local merchandise including basketry, embroidery, hammocks, pottery, wood sculpture and gold jewelry.
Cuisine
The hotel dining rooms of the country offer a number of different cuisines and there is also a fairly good selection of restaurants. From French, to Continental, Vietnamese, Chinese, Creole and Indonesian restaurants, all kinds of restaurants can be found elsewhere.
Make it a point to sample the national delicacy, the bouillon d’aoura, which is a dish of smoked fish, crab, prawns, vegetables and chicken, served with aoura, the fruit of Savana trees.
The large forest area is instrumental in providing a rich supply of game such as, collard peccary, paca and tapir, which are usually eaten as a fricassee and are accompanied by rice and kidney beans.
To wash down your sumptuous meals a traditional aperitif of lime, sugar cane syrup and rum, called Ti' Punch, is served usually accompanied by cod rolls and black pudding.
Nightlife
At Cayenne, Kourou and St Laurent du Maroni you will find the nightclubs and additionally these places also have cinemas which feature French films.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
The country has a number of well-appointed air-conditioned hotels, since it was chosen as a site for the European Space Agency. In most of the hotels, the services and facilities available are those found in 3 star hotels. Along the coast, one can find most of the international chains and on the continent the prices are the highest.
Self catering
Apartments for rental with or without bed and breakfast are mainly found in Cayenne, Kourou and occasionally in more rural areas.
Camping
A shack like accommodation is available in the jungles, which will provide bed, in a hammock and breakfast in a natural setting.
Traveling around the country
The interior of the country can be toured by taking a flight on the Air Guyane airlines from Cayenne. Helicopters too are available the Cayenne airport.
Numerous coastal and river transport services are in operation to transport people by water.
The road in French Guiana is along the coast from Cayenne to Kourou and beyond. The SMTC runs a good network of frequent and comfortable buses in the country, though there are no bus services on Sunday. For traveling faster, you can board a minibus.
Alternatively one can opt for taxis or car hire for a more comfortable and faster means of travel.
Click to Hide