French Guiana, the overseas department of France is situated in the South America. It is a member of European Union.
HISTORY:- The indigenous Americans inhabited in the French Guiana originally. The territory was settled by the Spanish, Dutch, and French several times. With the Treaty of Breda, the region was ceded to France in 1667. French Guiana was treated as the penal colony by the French from 1852 and 1939. French engaged in a border dispute with Brazil. In 1946, French Guiana gained the status of an overseas department of France.
GEOGRAPHY:- French Guiana is situated in the northern coast of South America. The highest point of the region is Bellevue de l'Inini (851 m). The territory is mostly mountainous.
GOVERNMENT:- French Guiana is an overseas department of France. The head of the state of the region is President of France. The overseas department of France sends 2 deputies to the French National Assembly. The French President appoints the Prefect, who represents the President in French Guiana. The legislative branch comprises the General Council (19 members) and the Regional Council (34 members).
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- French Guiana is divided into 2 departmental arrondissements, 19 cantons and 22 communes.
ECONOMY:- The economy of French Guiana is highly dependent on France subsidies, trade, and goods. Fishing gold mining and timber are the main industries of the region.
GDP/PPP (2003 est.): $1.551 billion; per capita $8,300.
Real growth rate: NA.
Inflation: 1.5% (2002 est.).
Unemployment: 22% (2001).
Arable land: 0.14%.
Agriculture: Corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry.
Labor force: 58,800 (1997); services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980).
Industries: Construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining.
Natural resources: Bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish.
Exports: $155 million (f.o.b., 2002 est.): shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing.
Imports: $625 million (c.i.f., 2002 est.): food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals.
Major trading partners: France, Switzerland, U.S., Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2004).
Monetary unit: Franc
LANGUAGE:- The official language is French
CITIES:- The capital and the largest city of French Guiana is Cayenne.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of French Guiana is 203,321 with a growth rate of 1.8%.
Density per sq mi: 6
Literacy rate: 83% (1982 est.)
RACE:-
Black or mulatto 66%
White 12%
East Indian
Chinese
Amerindian 12%
Other 10%
RELIGION:- The predominant religion of French Guiana is Roman Catholic.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate 20.3/1000
Infant mortality rate 11.8/1000
Life expectancy: 77.5
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 817 km; paved: n.a.; unpaved: n.a. (1998).
Waterways: 3,760 km; (2004).
Ports and harbors: Degrad des Cannes.
Airports: 11 2004 est.
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