French Guiana Country Profile

 

 

 

 

 

Dense equatorial forests, colonial towns and a major space centre are among the faces of French Guiana, a region of France on the north-east coast of South America. The forests provide the raw material for a timber industry, but many of French Guiana's natural resources defy easy exploitation. Much of the sparsely-inhabited interior is accessible only by river. The ethnically-diverse population enjoys one of the higher standards of living on the South American continent. The French social security system is in force, and subsidies from Paris prop up the economy.

Territory: French Guiana

Status: French overseas territory

Population: 187,200 (via UN, 2006)

Capital: Cayenne

Area: 83,534 sq km (32,253 sq miles)

Major languages: French (official), Creole

Major religion: Christianity

Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 78 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: euro

Main exports: Timber, fish, gold

Internet domain: .gf

International dialling code: +594

Head of state: (French) President Nicolas Sarkozy

Click Here to visit the Embassy Website.