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July 17, 2025

French Guiana Travel Guide

🇬🇫 French Guiana Travel Guide

21) Brief History

The history of French Guiana is a unique and often brutal narrative, a story of a territory that has been shaped by the ambitions of European empires, the immense suffering of the penal colony system, and a modern transformation into a high-tech hub for space exploration. This sparsely populated corner of South America has a history that is starkly different from its neighbors, a past that is deeply and inextricably linked to the political and social currents of its distant mother country, France. The earliest inhabitants of this land were indigenous peoples, including the Arawak, the Carib, and the Tupi-Guarani, who thrived in the dense rainforest environment. The first European contact was made by Christopher Columbus in 1498, but the region, known for its inhospitable climate and lack of obvious riches, was initially of little interest to the Spanish and Portuguese empires. It was the French who made the first concerted, though disastrous, attempts at colonization in the early 17th century. These early settlements were ravaged by tropical diseases and conflicts with the indigenous populations, earning the territory a fearsome reputation. In the 18th century, a more stable but still precarious colony was established, based on a plantation economy that used the forced labor of enslaved Africans to cultivate crops like sugar and spices. However, the plantation economy in French Guiana was never as extensive or as profitable as in the French Caribbean islands, and the colony remained a marginal and difficult outpost of the French empire. The French Revolution brought a dramatic and dark new chapter to the territory’s history. The revolutionary government in Paris began to use the remote and fever-ridden colony as a place of exile for its political prisoners, deporting priests, royalists, and political opponents to what became a “dry guillotine.” This marked the beginning of French Guiana’s long and infamous history as a penal colony (*bagne*).

This role was massively expanded in the mid-19th century under Emperor Napoleon III, who established a formal and brutal penal system centered on the mainland town of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and the notorious Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands), which included the infamous Devil’s Island (*Île du Diable*). For nearly a century, tens of thousands of French convicts, from common criminals to political prisoners, were transported to French Guiana to serve their sentences in horrific conditions of hard labor, disease, and despair. The most famous political prisoner held on Devil’s Island was Captain Alfred Dreyfus, the French Jewish army officer whose wrongful conviction for treason became a major political scandal in France. The story of another prisoner, Henri Charrière, was immortalized in his world-famous memoir, “Papillon.” The penal colony system was a human catastrophe, with mortality rates being incredibly high, and it left a deep and dark stain on the territory’s identity. The penal colony was officially closed in the mid-20th century, and a new and completely different chapter in the territory’s history began in the 1960s. In a move that would fundamentally transform its destiny, the French government, under President Charles de Gaulle, chose the coastal town of Kourou as the site for its new national spaceport, the Guiana Space Centre (*Centre Spatial Guyanais*). This decision was based on the territory’s strategic location near the equator, which is ideal for launching satellites into orbit. The construction and operation of the spaceport, which is now also the primary launch site for the European Space Agency (ESA), has brought a massive influx of investment, technology, and highly skilled engineers and scientists from Europe to the territory.

In 1946, French Guiana’s status was changed from a colony to an overseas department of France, making it an integral part of the French Republic. Its residents are French citizens with the right to vote in French national elections and to be represented in the French Parliament. In the 21st century, French Guiana is a land of profound contrasts. It is a place where the high-tech world of Ariane rockets and satellite launches exists alongside the vast, untamed wilderness of the Amazon rainforest. It is a department of France and a part of the European Union, using the Euro as its currency, yet it is geographically located in South America and is home to a diverse and multicultural population of Creole, European, Indigenous, and Maroon peoples. It continues to grapple with the dark legacy of its penal past, while also playing a central role in Europe’s future in space. This unique and complex history has created one of the most fascinating and unusual societies in the Americas.

22) Geography

The geography of French Guiana is a powerful and all-encompassing force, a landscape dominated by one of the most magnificent and formidable ecosystems on the planet: the Amazon rainforest. This overseas department and region of France, located on the northeastern coast of South America, is a vast and sparsely populated expanse of pristine tropical wilderness, a land of great rivers, dense jungles, and incredible biodiversity. Its unique geography has defined its history, its culture, and its modern role as a strategic outpost of Europe in the heart of the tropics. French Guiana is bordered by Brazil to the east and south, and by Suriname to the west. To the northeast, it has a 378-kilometer (235-mile) coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The most overwhelming geographical feature is the Guiana Amazonian Park, a massive protected area that, combined with the adjoining Tumucumaque Mountains National Park in Brazil, forms the largest protected area of tropical rainforest in the world. Over 90% of French Guiana’s land area is covered by this dense, primary equatorial rainforest. This forest is a global treasure, a vital part of the “lungs of the planet,” and a hotspot of biodiversity, teeming with an extraordinary and still not fully catalogued array of plant and animal life. The forest is home to iconic Amazonian species such as the jaguar, the puma, the tapir, the black caiman, and a huge variety of monkeys, as well as thousands of species of birds, insects, and reptiles. This vast and impenetrable jungle has been the primary reason for the territory’s historically low population density, with the vast majority of the population living in a narrow band along the coast. The territory’s topography can be divided into two main zones. The first is the low-lying coastal plain, known as the “Terres Basses.” This is a flat and often swampy strip of land that stretches along the Atlantic coast. This is where almost all of the population and the main towns, including the capital, Cayenne, and the spaceport town of Kourou, are located. The coastline is characterized by its mangrove swamps, its muddy, sediment-rich waters from the Amazon River, and a few sandy beaches. The second, and much larger, geographical zone is the vast interior plateau, known as the “Terres Hautes.” This is a slightly elevated and ancient granite shield that is almost entirely covered by the Amazon rainforest. The interior is a landscape of low, rolling hills, with a few isolated mountain ranges, or inselbergs, that rise above the forest canopy. The highest point in French Guiana is the Bellevue de l’Inini, which reaches a modest 851 meters (2,792 feet) in the central part of the territory.

The geography of French Guiana is also defined by its extensive network of rivers. The country is crisscrossed by a multitude of wide, slow-moving rivers that flow from the interior plateau to the Atlantic Ocean. The two most important of these rivers are the Maroni River, which forms the entire border with Suriname to the west, and the Oyapock River, which forms the border with Brazil to the east. These rivers, along with others like the Approuague and the Sinnamary, are the main highways of the interior. For many of the indigenous and Maroon communities who live deep in the rainforest, the rivers are the only means of transportation, and life is oriented around the seasonal rhythms of the water. The climate of French Guiana is equatorial, characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall year-round. There is a main rainy season that typically lasts from December to July, and a shorter dry season from August to November. This hot and wet climate is what sustains the magnificent rainforest ecosystem. A unique geographical feature just off the coast is the Îles du Salut, or Salvation Islands. This small, rocky archipelago, which includes the infamous Devil’s Island, was the site of the harshest part of the French penal colony system. These islands, with their dark history, are now a popular tourist destination and a haven for wildlife, such as the agile capuchin monkeys.

This geography of a vast, untamed rainforest, a network of powerful rivers, and a narrow coastal strip where a modern, high-tech society has been implanted, creates a land of profound and fascinating contrasts. It is a place where Europe meets the Amazon, where the roar of a rocket launch can be heard alongside the sounds of the jungle. This unique and challenging geography is the very essence of French Guiana.

23) Politics and Government

The political and governmental system of French Guiana is a unique framework, a direct result of its status as an integral part of the French Republic. Unlike its neighbors, Suriname and Brazil, which are independent nations, French Guiana is not a sovereign state. It is an overseas department and region of France (*département et région d’outre-mer*), a status that makes it legally and politically indistinct from any department or region on the French mainland, such as Normandy or Provence. This means that its residents are French citizens, they vote in French national elections, they are represented in the French Parliament in Paris, and they use the Euro as their currency. The governance of French Guiana is therefore a fascinating blend of the centralized French state administration and a more recent, evolving system of local self-government. As part of the French Republic, the head of state of French Guiana is the President of France. The central government in Paris is represented in the territory by a Prefect (*Préfet de la région Guyane*). The Prefect is a senior civil servant who is appointed by the French President and acts as the chief executive officer of the state in the department. The Prefect is responsible for a wide range of state functions, including internal security (overseeing the national police and gendarmerie), the implementation of national laws and policies, and the coordination of all the services of the French central government, from education and health to customs and taxation. The Prefecture, located in the capital, Cayenne, is the main center of the French state’s authority in the territory. The legal and judicial systems are also fully integrated with those of France, with the laws passed by the French Parliament in Paris being directly applicable in French Guiana. The territory is part of the European Union through its connection to France, making it the largest and most forested land area in the entire EU.

Alongside this centralized state administration, French Guiana has its own layer of local self-government. Since a major administrative reform, the territory has been governed by a single, unified local government body, the Guiana Assembly (*Assemblée de Guyane*). This single assembly has replaced the former separate regional and departmental councils, streamlining local governance. The members of the Guiana Assembly are directly elected by the local population for a six-year term. The Assembly is led by a President, who is the chief executive of the local government. The Guiana Assembly has a significant degree of autonomy and is responsible for managing a wide range of local and regional public services. These responsibilities include economic development, regional planning, the management of middle schools (*collèges*) and high schools (*lycées*), vocational training, and social services. The Assembly has its own budget, which is funded through a combination of local taxes and significant transfers from the French central government, which are essential for the functioning of the territory. The political landscape in French Guiana is a reflection of this dual system. The major French national political parties, from the left to the right, are all active in the territory and compete in both the local elections for the Guiana Assembly and in the national elections for the French presidency and parliament. French Guiana elects two deputies to the French National Assembly and two senators to the French Senate. In addition to the French national parties, there are also a number of local political movements and parties. Some of these are focused on specific local issues, while others, like the Guianese Socialist Party and the pro-autonomy movement Walwari, advocate for a greater degree of self-government for the territory. The question of the territory’s political status is a recurring theme in local politics, with a spectrum of opinions ranging from those who are content with the current departmental status to those who advocate for greater autonomy or, in some very small circles, full independence.

This complex political structure has a profound impact on the life of the territory. It provides a high level of public services and social welfare, funded by the French state, which are far more extensive than in the neighboring countries. However, it also creates a society that is highly dependent on public spending and on the decisions made thousands of kilometers away in Paris. The governance of French Guiana is thus a continuous negotiation between its identity as a remote Amazonian territory and its status as an integral, yet unique, part of the French Republic.

24) Law and Criminal Justice

The legal and criminal justice system in French Guiana is not a separate or autonomous system but is fully integrated into the legal framework of the French Republic. As an overseas department and region of France, French Guiana is subject to the same body of laws, the same judicial structure, and the same principles of justice as any region on the French mainland. This means that the legal system is based on the French civil law tradition, with its foundation in the comprehensive and codified laws that have been enacted by the French Parliament in Paris, most notably the French Civil Code and the French Penal Code. The supreme law of the land is the Constitution of the French Fifth Republic. All laws and regulations must be in conformity with the constitution, and the residents of French Guiana, as French citizens, are entitled to the full range of fundamental rights and freedoms that the constitution guarantees. The judicial system is a direct extension of the French national judiciary. The court system is organized in the same hierarchical manner as in mainland France, with a clear separation between the judicial courts, which handle civil and criminal cases, and the administrative courts, which handle disputes involving the state. The main court of first instance for serious matters is the Judicial Tribunal in the capital, Cayenne. Appeals from this court are heard by a French Court of Appeal, and the final court of appeal is the powerful Court of Cassation (*Cour de cassation*) in Paris. This full integration means that the legal standards, procedures, and the rights of individuals are identical to those in France. The criminal justice system in French Guiana is also a direct application of the French national system. Law enforcement is the responsibility of two main national police forces. The National Police (*Police Nationale*) is a civilian force that is responsible for policing in the main urban areas of Cayenne and Kourou. The National Gendarmerie (*Gendarmerie Nationale*) is a military force with police duties that is responsible for policing the vast rural and forested areas of the territory, as well as the main highways. Both forces are under the authority of the French Ministry of the Interior and are commanded by officers who are part of the French national command structure. The prosecution of criminal cases is the responsibility of the public prosecutor’s office (*le Parquet*), which is part of the French national prosecution service. The rights of the accused are protected by French law, including the presumption of innocence and the right to legal counsel.

However, the administration of justice in French Guiana faces a number of unique and severe challenges that are a direct result of its geography and its social context. The territory has a very high crime rate compared to mainland France, particularly in the urban areas. Issues such as armed robbery, burglary, and drug trafficking are major concerns for the authorities and the public. A particularly difficult and pervasive problem is illegal gold mining (*orpaillage illégal*). The vast and remote rainforest of the interior is a magnet for thousands of illegal miners, known as *garimpeiros*, who are mostly from neighboring Brazil. These illegal mining operations cause devastating environmental damage, particularly through the use of mercury to extract the gold, which poisons the rivers and the entire food chain. They are also a major source of violent crime, with armed gangs controlling the mining sites and engaging in trafficking of all kinds. The French Gendarmerie, supported by the French military, is engaged in a constant and difficult struggle to combat these illegal operations in the vast and impenetrable jungle, a mission known as Operation Harpie. Another major challenge for the criminal justice system is the management of the territory’s overcrowded and outdated prison system. The main prison in Remire-Montjoly is notoriously overpopulated and has been criticized for its poor conditions. For foreign visitors, it is absolutely essential to be aware of the serious security challenges in French Guiana. The high crime rate requires a high degree of caution, particularly in and around the city of Cayenne. It is strongly advised to avoid walking alone at night, to not display any signs of wealth, and to be extremely vigilant. Travel to the interior, particularly to the border regions with Brazil and Suriname, can be dangerous and should only be undertaken with reputable and experienced guides.

The laws are strictly enforced, and drug offenses, in particular, carry severe penalties. Visitors should also be aware that the security forces, particularly the Gendarmerie and the French Foreign Legion, who are also based in the territory, are a highly visible and armed presence. While the legal framework is that of a modern European state, the practical realities of crime and security on the ground are those of a challenging and sometimes volatile frontier region. It is imperative for any visitor to stay informed about the current security situation through their home country’s government travel advisories and to exercise a high degree of caution throughout their stay.

25) Foreign Relations

The foreign relations of French Guiana are, by definition, the foreign relations of the French Republic. As an overseas department and region, French Guiana does not have its own independent foreign policy. Its international relations, its diplomatic representation, and its participation in international organizations are all managed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris. The territory is an integral part of France and, by extension, the European Union, making it a unique outpost of Europe on the South American continent. This status profoundly shapes its relationship with its neighbors and the wider world, creating a set of foreign relations that are a fascinating blend of European diplomacy and South American geography. The most significant aspect of French Guiana’s foreign relations is its role as the host of the Guiana Space Centre (*Centre Spatial Guyanais*), which is often referred to as “Europe’s Spaceport.” This world-class facility, located in Kourou, is the primary launch site for the European Space Agency (ESA) and for the French commercial launch provider, Arianespace. This makes French Guiana a strategic and indispensable asset for the European space program. The presence of the spaceport is a major driver of French and European foreign policy in the region. It requires a high level of international cooperation, not just with the member states of the ESA but also with other space-faring nations like the United States and Russia, who have at times collaborated on launches from Kourou. The security of the spaceport and the safety of its launch trajectories are also a paramount concern for French diplomacy, requiring close cooperation with neighboring countries. At the regional level, French Guiana’s foreign relations are defined by its borders with Brazil and Suriname. These are not just borders of a French department; they are the external borders of the European Union in South America. The relationship with these two neighbors is pragmatic and is focused on a number of key issues. Cross-border cooperation on security is a major priority. The vast and porous jungle borders are a major challenge for law enforcement, and there is an ongoing need for cooperation to combat a range of illicit activities, most notably the trafficking of people, drugs, and contraband, and the pervasive problem of illegal gold mining. The French Gendarmerie and military work with their Brazilian and Surinamese counterparts to try and control these vast and difficult-to-patrol borders.

Another key area of regional relations is economic and social exchange. There are significant and often informal cross-border movements of people and goods. The recent completion of a bridge over the Oyapock River, connecting the town of Saint-Georges in French Guiana with the town of Oiapoque in Brazil, is a major piece of infrastructure that is intended to formalize and to boost trade and cooperation between the two countries. The relationship with Suriname, which is defined by the Maroni River, is also of critical importance, particularly for the Maroon communities who live on both sides of the river and who have deep historical and cultural ties. As a part of the European Union, French Guiana is a beneficiary of EU development funds and is part of the EU’s strategy for its “outermost regions.” This provides a framework for cooperation with the wider Caribbean and Latin American region. French Guiana is a member of several regional organizations, such as the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), through its connection to France. French diplomacy is also active in promoting regional cooperation on environmental issues, particularly the protection of the Amazon rainforest. The Guiana Amazonian Park is a key part of the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s largest and most biodiverse wilderness areas, and France engages with its neighbors to promote its conservation.

The foreign relations of French Guiana are thus a unique and multi-layered reality. On the one hand, the territory is the subject of a major European power’s global foreign policy, a strategic asset in the space race, and a formal part of the European Union. On the other hand, it is a South American territory that must manage the daily and practical realities of its relationships with its Amazonian neighbors. This dual identity is what makes its place in the world so utterly unique.

26) Administrative Divisions

The administrative structure of French Guiana is a direct application of the French national system of local government, reflecting its status as an integral part of the French Republic. As an overseas department and region of France, it is organized in a way that is designed to ensure the implementation of national policies while also providing a framework for a degree of local self-government. The system has undergone a significant reform in recent years to streamline its structure, but it remains a multi-tiered framework that divides the territory for administrative and electoral purposes. Since 2015, French Guiana has been governed as a single territorial collectivity (*collectivité territoriale unique*). This reform merged the former departmental and regional councils into a single, unified governing body, the Guiana Assembly (*Assemblée de Guyane*). This was done to simplify the often-overlapping layers of local government and to create a more efficient administrative structure. This single assembly is the primary body of local self-government in the territory, and it is responsible for a wide range of powers that were previously divided between the two separate councils, including regional planning, economic development, and the management of secondary education. For the purposes of the central state administration, however, French Guiana remains a department. The territory is therefore divided into two arrondissements. These are not units of local government with their own elected officials, but are purely administrative subdivisions of the department, designed to help the state’s representative, the Prefect, in the administration of the territory. The two arrondissements are the Arrondissement of Cayenne and the Arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. Each of these is headed by a Sub-Prefect (*Sous-Préfet*), who is an appointee of the central government and who assists the Prefect in the administration of their respective parts of the territory.

The third and most local tier of the administrative structure consists of the communes. The commune is the basic unit of local self-government in France, and this is also true in French Guiana. The territory is divided into 22 communes. These communes vary enormously in size and character, from the densely populated urban commune of the capital, Cayenne, to the vast and almost entirely uninhabited jungle communes of the interior, such as Maripasoula and Saül, which are among the largest communes in all of France by land area. Each commune is governed by a directly elected Municipal Council (*Conseil Municipal*), which is headed by a Mayor (*Maire*). The mayor and the municipal council are responsible for a range of local public services that directly affect the daily lives of the citizens. These services include managing primary education, local planning and building permits, and the registration of births, marriages, and deaths. The communes are the level of government that is closest to the people. A unique feature of the administrative landscape of French Guiana is the existence of the Grand Conseil Coutumier des Populations Amérindiennes et Bushinengué (the Great Customary Council of the Amerindian and Maroon Populations). This is a consultative body that was created to represent the unique interests and customary rights of the territory’s six officially recognized Amerindian nations and its four Maroon (or Bushinengué) communities. This council has an advisory role and must be consulted by the local and national government on any projects or policies that may affect the environment, the living conditions, or the cultural activities of these indigenous and tribal communities. This is a key part of the French state’s effort to recognize and to protect the rights of the first peoples of this Amazonian territory.

In addition to these formal divisions, the territory is also divided into cantons for electoral purposes. These cantons are used as the constituencies for the election of the members of the Guiana Assembly. This multi-layered system, with its blend of the centralized state administration (the Prefecture), the unified local self-government (the Guiana Assembly), the basic municipal government (the communes), and the special consultative body for the indigenous and tribal peoples, is the framework through which this unique and diverse part of the French Republic is governed.

27) Economy & Commodities

The economy of French Guiana is a highly unusual and artificial economic system, profoundly shaped by its status as an overseas department of France and its role as the home of Europe’s Spaceport. It is an economy that is overwhelmingly dominated by the public sector and is heavily dependent on massive financial transfers from the French central government and the European Union. This has created a standard of living and a level of public services that are far higher than in the neighboring countries of Suriname and Brazil, but it has also resulted in a very small and underdeveloped private sector, a very high cost of living, and a deep-seated structural dependency on external funding. The single most important driver of the formal economy is the Guiana Space Centre (*Centre Spatial Guyanais*) in Kourou. The spaceport is a massive and high-tech enterprise, and its activities are the cornerstone of the entire economy. The presence of the European Space Agency (ESA), the French space agency (CNES), and the commercial launch provider Arianespace injects a huge amount of money into the local economy. The space center is the largest employer in the territory, providing thousands of high-skilled jobs, not just for expatriate European engineers and scientists but also for a growing number of local technicians and support staff. The industry also supports a vast ecosystem of subcontractor companies that provide a wide range of services, from security and logistics to construction and maintenance. The salaries and spending of the thousands of people who work in the space sector are a major driver of domestic demand. The other major component of the economy is the French public sector. As an integral part of the French Republic, French Guiana has a large number of public sector employees who work in the administration, in the gendarmerie and the military (which has a significant presence), in the public education system, and in the public healthcare system. The salaries of these civil servants, which are paid by the French state and are often supplemented by a bonus to compensate for the high cost of living, are another massive injection of external funding into the local economy. These two sectors—the space industry and the public administration—together create an economy that is largely detached from the local productive base.

The private productive sectors of the economy are very small and underdeveloped. The agricultural sector is limited and does not produce enough to feed the local population, meaning that the vast majority of food must be imported, which is a major factor in the high cost of living. The main agricultural products are rice, cassava, and some fruits and vegetables for the local market. The fishing industry, particularly shrimp fishing, is another important local activity and is one of the territory’s few significant export commodities, apart from the services provided by the spaceport. The forestry sector also has significant potential, given that over 90% of the territory is covered in pristine rainforest, but the timber industry is still relatively small-scale. One of the most significant and problematic economic activities is gold mining. While there is a small, legal gold mining sector, the vast majority of gold extraction is done by illegal miners (*garimpeiros*), primarily from Brazil. This illegal mining is a massive shadow economy that causes devastating environmental damage, particularly through the use of mercury, and is associated with high levels of violence and criminal activity. The gold that is extracted is almost entirely smuggled out of the country, so it provides very little benefit to the formal economy. The tourism sector also has immense potential, given the territory’s incredible natural beauty and its unique attractions, from the spaceport and the ruins of the penal colony to the Amazonian rainforest itself. However, the industry is still very underdeveloped. The high cost of travel to and within French Guiana, the limited infrastructure, and the security challenges have so far prevented the development of a major tourism industry.

The economy of French Guiana is thus a paradox. On the one hand, it has a very high GDP per capita compared to its neighbors, thanks to the massive subsidies and investments from France and the EU. On the other hand, it has a very weak and dependent local private sector, high unemployment (particularly among the youth), and a very high cost of living. The main economic challenge for the territory is to find a way to leverage the massive external investment to build a more diversified and sustainable local economy that can provide more opportunities for its own people.

28) Science and Technology

The science and technology landscape in French Guiana is a story of extreme and fascinating contrasts. On the one hand, the territory is home to one of the most advanced and sophisticated high-technology enterprises on the planet: the Guiana Space Centre. On the other hand, it is also a land of vast, unexplored wilderness, a global hotspot of biodiversity that is a living laboratory for environmental and biological sciences. This unique duality makes French Guiana a surprisingly significant, though highly specialized, hub for science and technology, a place where the futuristic world of space exploration meets the ancient complexities of the Amazon rainforest. The absolute and undisputed centerpiece of the science and technology sector is the Guiana Space Centre (*Centre Spatial Guyanais*, or CSG), located in Kourou. This is a world-class and state-of-the-art facility that is the primary spaceport for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency (CNES). Its strategic location, just five degrees north of the equator, is its greatest asset. This proximity to the equator provides a “slingshot” effect from the Earth’s rotation, which allows rockets to carry heavier payloads into orbit with less fuel. This makes the CSG one of the most efficient and sought-after launch sites in the world for placing satellites into geostationary orbit. The spaceport is the launch site for the European family of Ariane rockets, as well as the Vega and Soyuz launchers. The presence of the spaceport has created a massive ecosystem of high-tech activity in French Guiana. It has brought thousands of highly skilled European engineers, scientists, and technicians to the territory, and it is a major center for research and development in fields like rocket propulsion, satellite technology, and space communications. The CSG is a powerful symbol of European technological prowess and is a cornerstone of the continent’s strategic autonomy in space. It is a place where the frontiers of science are being pushed every day, a high-security, high-tech enclave on the edge of the Amazon jungle.

The second major and equally important area of science in French Guiana is in the field of biodiversity and environmental science. With over 90% of its territory covered by pristine Amazonian rainforest, French Guiana is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. This has made it a major center for tropical ecology research. A number of prestigious French research institutions have a strong presence in the territory, such as the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) and the IRD (Institute of Research for Development). Scientists in French Guiana are engaged in a wide range of vital research, from cataloging the incredible diversity of plant and animal species to studying the complex interactions of the rainforest ecosystem and the impacts of climate change. The Guiana Amazonian Park, one of the largest national parks in the world, is a massive living laboratory for this research. This scientific work is crucial for the global effort to understand and to protect the Amazon, the “lungs of the planet.” There is also a strong focus on medical research, particularly in the field of tropical medicine. The Pasteur Institute in Cayenne is a renowned research center that specializes in the study of tropical diseases that are prevalent in the region, such as malaria, dengue fever, and leishmaniasis. The research conducted here is vital for public health in French Guiana and the wider Amazon region.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in French Guiana is relatively small but is developing, supported by the modern infrastructure that has been put in place to serve the space center and the main coastal towns. The territory is connected to the global internet via a submarine fiber optic cable, which provides high-speed connectivity. However, this high-quality connectivity is largely confined to the coastal strip, and the digital divide with the remote interior of the country is significant. The science and technology landscape of French Guiana is thus a tale of two very different but equally important worlds. It is a place where the human ambition to explore the cosmos and the scientific imperative to understand and to protect our own planet’s most precious ecosystems exist side-by-side, creating a unique and globally significant hub for science and innovation.

29) Philosophy

The philosophical spirit of French Guiana is a complex and deeply layered worldview, a rich and often-unspoken synthesis of diverse cultural currents that have converged in this unique and challenging corner of South America. It is not a philosophy of formal, academic texts but a lived philosophy, a practical and resilient approach to life that has been forged in the crucible of a history marked by colonialism, forced migration, and the constant, overwhelming presence of the Amazon rainforest. This worldview is a fascinating blend of European rationalism, the deep spiritual traditions of the indigenous and Maroon peoples, and the vibrant, syncretic culture of the Creole community. At a foundational level, the philosophy of French Guiana is shaped by its political and institutional reality as an integral part of the French Republic. This means that the official public philosophy is that of French republicanism, with its powerful ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and its strict principle of secularism (*laïcité*). The education system, the legal framework, and the public administration are all based on this rationalist and universalist French worldview. This has created a society that, on the surface, is organized around the principles of a modern European state. This official philosophy is most visible in the coastal towns, where a European-style infrastructure and a high-tech space center exist as a testament to the power of science, reason, and centralized planning. However, this official philosophy coexists and is in a constant dialogue with other, much older and more deeply rooted worldviews that come from the forest and the river. The indigenous Amerindian peoples, who are the first inhabitants of this land, have a holistic and animist philosophy that sees no sharp division between the human world and the natural world. For them, the forest is not a wilderness to be conquered but a living entity, populated by spirits and imbued with a sacred power. Their philosophy is based on a deep, intimate knowledge of the ecosystem and a belief in the importance of maintaining a harmonious balance with nature. This is a worldview that values community, reciprocity, and a spiritual connection to the land that has sustained them for millennia.

Another powerful philosophical current comes from the Maroon, or Bushinengué, communities. These are the descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped from the plantations in neighboring Suriname and established their own autonomous communities deep in the rainforest along the Maroni River. The philosophy of the Maroons is one of freedom, resistance, and cultural survival. They have created a unique and vibrant culture that is a syncretic blend of their diverse African origins, and their worldview is deeply rooted in the memory of their struggle against slavery. Theirs is a philosophy of fierce independence and a deep pride in their ability to create a new society and a new identity in the heart of the forest. The largest community, the Creole people, who are of mixed African, European, and indigenous descent, have forged their own pragmatic and resilient philosophy. Creole culture is a vibrant and creative synthesis of all the different cultural influences that have met in French Guiana. It is a philosophy that values adaptability, a strong sense of community, and a certain *joie de vivre* (joy of living) in the face of the many challenges of life in the territory. This is often expressed in the vibrant music, the delicious food, and the colorful festivals of the Creole community. This complex interplay of these different philosophical currents is what makes French Guiana so unique. It is a place where the Cartesian logic of a rocket scientist in Kourou can exist just a few kilometers away from the animist beliefs of an Amerindian shaman in the deep forest. It is a society that is constantly negotiating its multiple identities: its political identity as part of France and Europe, its geographical identity as part of South America and the Amazon, and its deep cultural identity, which is a rich and complex tapestry of indigenous, African, and European threads.

This has created a society that is a microcosm of the globalized world, a place that is grappling with the fundamental questions of identity, modernity, and the human relationship with nature. The philosophy of French Guiana is thus not a single, unified doctrine, but a dynamic and ongoing conversation between these different ways of seeing and being in the world. It is a philosophy of coexistence, of resilience, and of the constant, creative process of building a unique society at the confluence of worlds.

30) Cultural Etiquette

Navigating the cultural etiquette of French Guiana requires an appreciation for a society that is a unique and fascinating blend of formal French customs and a more relaxed, multicultural Caribbean and South American spirit. The social fabric is a rich mosaic of Creole, European, Amerindian, Maroon, Hmong, and other cultures, creating a diverse and dynamic social environment. For any visitor, showing an awareness of and a respect for these different customs is the key to positive and rewarding interactions. The official language is French, and the customs of metropolitan France provide the basic framework for public and formal etiquette. This means that politeness (*politesse*) is extremely important. The greeting is the absolute and non-negotiable cornerstone of any social interaction. It is considered very rude to enter a shop, a bakery, or an office, or to start a conversation with anyone, without first offering a polite verbal greeting. A simple and friendly “Bonjour, Monsieur/Madame” is essential. When you are being introduced to someone, a light handshake is the standard greeting, for both men and women. As in France, there is a clear distinction between the formal “vous” and the informal “tu” forms of address. As a visitor, you should always use the formal “vous” when speaking to someone you don’t know, someone who is older, or anyone in a professional setting. You should wait to be invited to use the more familiar “tu.” Punctuality for formal appointments is also expected, in line with French custom. However, this formal French framework is overlaid with a more relaxed and informal Caribbean and South American social style. In more informal settings, and as you get to know people, the atmosphere can be much more laid-back. The concept of “island time” or a more flexible attitude towards punctuality can be prevalent in social gatherings. Patience is a key virtue, and a calm, friendly demeanor will be much more effective than showing frustration.

Hospitality is a central part of the culture, and if you are invited to someone’s home, it is a significant gesture of friendship. You should bring a small gift for your host, such as a dessert from a local bakery (*pâtisserie*) or a bottle of rum. The meals are a time for lively conversation and social connection. The local cuisine is a delicious and spicy blend of all the different cultural influences, and showing an appreciation for the food will be very well-received. The dress code in French Guiana is generally casual and practical, in keeping with the hot and humid tropical climate. Lightweight clothing, made of cotton or linen, is the most comfortable choice. In the coastal towns of Cayenne and Kourou, the style is a mix of casual European and Caribbean fashion. However, it is advisable to dress modestly, particularly if you are in more rural areas or if you are visiting the communities of the interior. When visiting the interior, it is essential to be extremely respectful of the unique customs and traditions of the Amerindian and Maroon peoples. These communities have their own social codes and their own relationship with the outside world. If you are visiting one of these communities, you must do so with a registered and reputable local guide who understands the local etiquette and can act as a cultural intermediary. You should never enter a village or take photographs of people without the express permission of the village chief or your guide. It is crucial to be a respectful and unobtrusive observer. The relationship with the natural environment is also a key part of the local etiquette. The rainforest is a powerful and respected entity. When you are in the forest, you are a guest. It is important to follow the guidance of your guide, to not leave any rubbish, and to show respect for the environment.

In the main towns, it is important to be aware of the security situation. As in many parts of the world, petty crime can be an issue, so it is wise to take common-sense precautions, such as not displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry, and being aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. By blending the polite formalities of French culture with a relaxed and respectful attitude, and by showing a genuine interest in the incredible cultural diversity of the territory, visitors will be warmly welcomed and will be able to experience the unique and vibrant social life of French Guiana.

31) Sports and Recreation

Sports and recreation in French Guiana are a vibrant and essential part of the local culture, a lively blend of modern, European-style sports and a deep and abiding connection to the territory’s magnificent natural environment. The sporting landscape reflects the diverse, multicultural society of the territory, while the vast, untamed wilderness of the Amazon rainforest provides a spectacular and challenging playground for a wide array of recreational activities. For both residents and the adventurous visitors who come to this unique corner of South America, sport and nature are central to the way of life. The most popular and passionately followed sport in French Guiana is, without a doubt, football (soccer). As an overseas department of France, French Guiana shares the national passion for *le foot*. The local league is enthusiastically followed, and the performance of the French national team, “Les Bleus,” in the World Cup and the European Championships is a matter of immense interest and pride. The territory has its own national football team, which is a member of CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) but not of FIFA. This means it can compete in regional tournaments like the CONCACAF Nations League but is not eligible to qualify for the World Cup. The territory has produced a number of talented players who have gone on to have professional careers in France and other European leagues, the most famous of these being the former French international star, Florent Malouda. On any given evening, football pitches in Cayenne and Kourou are filled with people of all ages playing the beautiful game. Other popular modern sports include basketball, handball, and cycling. The Tour de Guyane is the territory’s most important annual cycling race, a multi-stage event that attracts riders from across the Caribbean and mainland France and is a major sporting event in the local calendar.

Beyond these organized sports, the true recreational heart of French Guiana lies in its incredible natural environment. The territory is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The vast network of rivers that crisscross the country are the main highways of the interior and are the focus of much of the recreational activity. Kayaking and canoeing are some of the best ways to explore the rainforest and to experience its incredible biodiversity. A multi-day journey down a river like the Approuague or the Maroni, staying in traditional Amerindian or Maroon villages along the way, is an unforgettable and immersive experience. These rivers offer a chance to spot a huge variety of wildlife, from monkeys and sloths in the treetops to caimans and giant river otters in the water. Sport fishing is also a very popular recreational activity. The rivers and the coastal waters are rich in fish, and anglers come in pursuit of powerful game fish like the tarpon and the peacock bass. The vast and largely untouched wilderness of the Guiana Amazonian Park provides incredible opportunities for hiking and trekking, although the dense jungle and the lack of a developed trail network mean that this is an activity that must be undertaken with an experienced and certified local guide. These jungle treks offer a chance to learn about the incredible flora and fauna of the Amazon and about the traditional use of medicinal plants from the indigenous guides.

The coastline and the nearby Îles du Salut also offer opportunities for recreation. While the muddy, sediment-rich waters of the coast are not ideal for classic beach holidays, there are some pleasant beaches. The islands, with their dramatic history and their abundant wildlife, are a fantastic destination for a day trip of exploration. A unique and thrilling recreational activity is the opportunity to witness a rocket launch from the Guiana Space Centre. There are several safe viewing sites located a few kilometers from the launch pads, and the experience of watching a massive Ariane rocket thunder into the sky from the edge of the Amazon jungle is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle that is unique in the world. This blend of a passionate sporting culture and the unparalleled opportunities for adventure in a pristine natural wilderness makes sports and recreation a vital and dynamic part of the French Guiana experience.

32) Environmental Concerns

French Guiana is a territory of immense and globally significant environmental value, a vast expanse of pristine Amazonian rainforest that is one of the most biodiverse and least disturbed regions on the planet. Over 90% of the territory is covered by this magnificent forest, which is part of the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s last great wildernesses. This incredible natural heritage is the defining feature of the territory and is a source of great pride. The French and European Union environmental regulations that apply in French Guiana are some of the strictest in the world, and a huge portion of the territory has been set aside for conservation, most notably in the massive Guiana Amazonian Park. However, this precious environment is facing a number of severe and growing threats, particularly from the destructive impact of illegal gold mining. The most significant and devastating environmental concern facing French Guiana is illegal gold mining, known as *orpaillage illégal*. The territory’s subsoil is rich in gold, and this has attracted tens of thousands of illegal miners, or *garimpeiros*, who are primarily from neighboring Brazil. These miners operate in clandestine camps deep in the remote and difficult-to-patrol rainforest. Their methods are incredibly destructive to the environment. They use high-pressure water cannons to blast away riverbanks and topsoil to get to the gold-bearing sediment, which turns the rivers into muddy, sediment-choked waterways. The most damaging aspect of this activity is the widespread and intensive use of mercury to amalgamate the fine gold particles. The mercury is then burned off to leave the pure gold, releasing the toxic heavy metal into the air and, most significantly, into the water system. This mercury contamination has had a catastrophic impact on the environment. It poisons the rivers, killing fish and other aquatic life, and it bioaccumulates in the food chain. This poses a severe and direct health risk to the indigenous and Maroon communities who live in the interior and who depend on the rivers for their food and water. The mercury can cause severe neurological damage and other serious health problems. The illegal mining camps are also associated with a host of other problems, including deforestation, poaching, and high levels of violence and criminal activity. The French Gendarmerie and military are engaged in a constant and difficult struggle to combat this illegal industry in the vast and impenetrable jungle, a mission known as Operation Harpie, but the scale of the problem is immense.

Another major environmental challenge is the protection of the territory’s incredible biodiversity. The rainforests of French Guiana are home to a staggering array of plant and animal species, including many that are endangered, such as the jaguar, the giant river otter, and the black caiman. The primary threat to this biodiversity is the loss and fragmentation of habitat, which is caused by both illegal mining and, to a lesser extent, by infrastructure development, such as the construction of roads, and some agricultural expansion. Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade are also significant concerns, threatening populations of certain species. To combat these threats, France has created a robust network of protected areas. The Guiana Amazonian Park, which covers a massive 40% of the territory, is one of the largest national parks in the world. This park, combined with the adjoining Tumucumaque Mountains National Park in Brazil, forms a protected area of a truly global scale. There are also a number of coastal and marine protected areas, such as the nature reserve of the Amana, which is a globally important nesting site for leatherback sea turtles. The management of the coastal and marine environment is another key issue. The mangrove forests that line the coast are a vital ecosystem that provides a nursery for fish and protects the coastline from erosion. These mangroves are threatened by some coastal development. The health of the marine ecosystem is also a concern, with potential threats from overfishing and pollution.

Climate change is a cross-cutting issue that poses a long-term threat to the Amazonian ecosystem. Changes in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures could have a profound and unpredictable impact on the delicate balance of the rainforest. The future of French Guiana’s extraordinary natural heritage depends on its ability to win the difficult fight against illegal gold mining and to continue to enforce the strong environmental regulations that are in place. The preservation of this vast and pristine corner of the Amazon is not just a local issue; it is a matter of global importance.

33) Marriage & Courtship

Marriage and courtship in French Guiana are a fascinating and vibrant reflection of the territory’s incredible multicultural society. The customs surrounding relationships and marriage are a rich and colorful tapestry woven from the diverse threads of the many different communities that call this corner of South America home, all within the overarching legal and social framework of the French Republic. From the formal traditions of the metropolitan French to the syncretic and community-focused celebrations of the Creole, Maroon, and Hmong peoples, the approach to marriage is as diverse as the population itself. As an overseas department of France, the only legally recognized form of marriage in French Guiana is the civil ceremony, which must be conducted at the local town hall (*mairie*). This is a legal requirement for all couples, regardless of their cultural or religious background. This civil wedding is a formal, secular ceremony that is focused on the legal and civic aspects of marriage. Following this mandatory civil ceremony, many couples will then have a religious or traditional wedding ceremony that is of deep personal, spiritual, and cultural significance. For the large Catholic community, this will often be a church wedding. However, it is in the traditional wedding celebrations of the territory’s diverse communities that the true richness of its culture is on display. For the large Creole population, who are of mixed African, European, and indigenous descent, the wedding is a massive and joyous celebration that brings together the entire extended family and community. These celebrations are famous for their lively atmosphere, their abundant and delicious food (a spicy and flavorful blend of all the different cultural influences), and their music and dancing, which often continue late into the night. The celebrations are a powerful affirmation of family and community bonds.

The Maroon, or Bushinengué, communities, who are the descendants of escaped African slaves from neighboring Suriname, have their own unique and deeply traditional customs surrounding marriage. For them, marriage is not just the union of two individuals but is a formal alliance between two lineages, and the process is governed by a complex set of rituals and negotiations between the two families. Similarly, the indigenous Amerindian peoples have their own distinct traditions and ceremonies. In a reflection of the social norms of modern France, it is also very common for couples in French Guiana to live together in a long-term, stable relationship without being formally married. The French legal system also recognizes a civil union known as the Civil Solidarity Pact (*Pacte civil de solidarité*, or PACS), which is a popular alternative to marriage for many couples. In a further reflection of its status as part of the French Republic, same-sex marriage was legalized in French Guiana in 2013, at the same time as in mainland France. The customs of marriage and courtship in French Guiana are thus a dynamic and multi-layered reality, a place where the formal, secular law of the French state coexists with a vibrant and diverse array of cultural and religious traditions, all of which are a testament to the unique and multicultural soul of this fascinating South American society.

34) Work Opportunities

The labor market in French Guiana is a highly unusual and deeply dualistic environment, a direct consequence of its unique political and economic structure as an overseas department of France. The world of work is starkly divided between a well-paid, formal sector that is almost entirely dependent on public spending and the high-tech space industry, and a much larger, more precarious informal sector. For those with the right skills and qualifications, particularly those from France and the wider European Union, there are opportunities in a few key, high-demand fields. However, for the majority of the local population, the job market is characterized by extremely high rates of unemployment and a reliance on the informal economy. The primary and most significant source of formal employment is the public sector. As an integral part of the French Republic, French Guiana has a massive public administration. A huge number of people are employed as civil servants (*fonctionnaires*) in the various services of the French state, including the prefecture, the education system, the public healthcare system, and the justice system. The French military, including the famous French Foreign Legion, and the gendarmerie also have a very large presence and are major employers. These public sector jobs are highly sought after because they offer the high salaries, excellent benefits, and job security of the French civil service. The salaries of these public sector workers are also supplemented by a bonus of around 40% to compensate for the high cost of living in the territory. This makes a government job the most desirable form of employment for many residents. The other major engine of the formal economy is the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. The spaceport and the ecosystem of aerospace companies that support it, such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace, are the largest private sector employers. This industry creates a strong demand for a highly skilled workforce, particularly for engineers, scientists, and specialized technicians. While many of the most senior positions are filled by expatriates from mainland France and other European countries, the space center also provides a significant number of high-quality jobs for the local population and is a key driver of the local economy in and around the town of Kourou.

For foreign nationals, the rules for working in French Guiana are the same as for working in mainland France. For citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland, the principle of freedom of movement applies. This means that they have the right to come to French Guiana, look for a job, and work without needing a special work permit. This is why a large number of the skilled professionals working at the space center are from various EU countries. For non-EU/EEA citizens, or “third-country nationals,” securing employment is much more difficult. To work legally in French Guiana, they must first secure a formal job offer from a local employer. The employer must then prove that they were unable to find a suitable candidate on the domestic or EU labor market. Only then can they start the long and bureaucratic process of applying for a work permit and a long-stay visa. Therefore, for non-EU citizens, the only realistic work opportunities are for those with very specific, high-demand skills that are needed by the space industry or by another specialized sector. A good command of the French language is an absolute prerequisite for almost all jobs in the territory. Beyond the public sector and the space industry, the formal private sector is very small. There are some jobs in the construction, retail, and services sectors, but these are limited. The vast majority of the local population who are not employed in the formal sector work in the informal economy, which includes a wide range of activities from small-scale agriculture and fishing to running small market stalls and providing informal transportation services. This sector is a vital source of livelihood for many, but the work is often precarious and without social protections.

A major and deeply problematic part of the informal economy is the illegal gold mining industry in the interior of the country. This dangerous and destructive industry provides a source of income for thousands of people, but it is entirely outside the law and is a major social and environmental problem. The most significant challenge facing the labor market in French Guiana is the extremely high rate of unemployment, which is one of the highest of any region in France, particularly for young people. There is a profound mismatch between the skills of the local population and the needs of the high-tech formal economy. The government and local authorities are focused on improving the education and vocational training systems to better prepare young people for the jobs that are available and to try and foster a more dynamic and diversified local private sector. However, this remains a massive and long-term challenge.

35) Education

The education system in French Guiana is an integral part of the highly centralized French national education system. As an overseas department and region of France, the schools in French Guiana follow the same curriculum, the same structure, and the same high standards as the schools on the French mainland. The system is founded on the core republican principles of being free, secular (*laïque*), and compulsory. The official language of instruction at all levels is French. The administration of the education system is managed by a single, centralized education authority, the Academy of Guiana (*Académie de la Guyane*), which is part of the French Ministry of National Education. This system provides the children of French Guiana with a high-quality education and with qualifications that are recognized throughout France and the European Union, but it also faces a number of unique and profound challenges that are specific to the territory’s social and geographical context. The educational journey begins with preschool, or *école maternelle*, which is not compulsory but is attended by a very high percentage of children from the age of three. This is followed by five years of primary school (*école primaire*). Compulsory education in France, and therefore in French Guiana, now begins at the age of three and continues until the age of sixteen. After primary school, all students move on to four years of middle school, known as the *collège*. At the end of the *collège*, students take a national examination to receive the *Diplôme National du Brevet*. Following the *collège*, students proceed to the upper secondary school, the *lycée*, for a three-year program. The *lycée* offers different tracks: a general track, which prepares students for university; a technological track; and a professional track, which provides vocational training. The general and technological tracks culminate in the famous and rigorous *baccalauréat* examination, which is the main qualification for entry into higher education.

Higher education in French Guiana is centered around the University of French Guiana (*Université de Guyane*), which is located in the capital, Cayenne. The university became a fully autonomous institution in 2014, having previously been part of a larger university system with the French Caribbean islands. It offers a range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs and has a particular focus on research that is relevant to the Amazonian context, such as in the fields of biodiversity, tropical health, and social sciences. The university is a vital institution for training the territory’s future leaders and professionals. Despite being an integral part of the French system, the education sector in French Guiana faces a number of severe and deeply entrenched challenges. The school dropout rate is very high, and academic outcomes are significantly lower than the national average in mainland France. These challenges are driven by a complex set of social and economic factors. The territory has a very young and rapidly growing population, which puts immense pressure on the school system and leads to overcrowded classrooms. Poverty and social deprivation are widespread, which has a major impact on a child’s ability to succeed in school. Another major challenge is the linguistic diversity of the student population. For a huge number of students, particularly those from the Amerindian, Maroon, and various immigrant communities, French is not their first language. This creates a significant pedagogical challenge for the school system, which is based on a monolingual French curriculum. There have been efforts to introduce more intercultural and bilingual teaching methods, but this remains a complex issue. The vast and remote geography of the territory also creates major challenges in providing education to the children who live in the isolated villages of the interior. Many of these communities are only accessible by river or by small plane, and it is a constant struggle to build schools and to attract and retain qualified teachers in these remote areas. The government and the local education authority are working to address these profound challenges through various programs, but the gap in educational outcomes between French Guiana and the French mainland remains a major social and political issue for the territory.

36) Communication & Connectivity

Communication and connectivity in French Guiana are a story of modern technology and infrastructure being deployed in one of the world’s most challenging environments. As an overseas department of France, the territory benefits from a telecommunications infrastructure that is far more advanced than that of its South American neighbors and is fully integrated into the French national network. This provides a high standard of mobile and internet services, particularly along the developed coastal strip. However, this modern connectivity coexists with the immense challenge of the vast and largely inaccessible Amazon rainforest, which covers most of the territory and creates a profound digital divide between the coast and the deep interior. The mobile phone market is the primary and most widespread form of communication for the majority of the population. The market is competitive and is served by the major French national providers, such as Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. The mobile network provides excellent 4G/LTE coverage along the entire coastal plain, where most of the population lives, including in the main towns of Cayenne, Kourou, and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. This provides fast and reliable mobile data access for residents and visitors in these areas. For travelers, this means that if you have a SIM card from mainland France or from another EU country, you can use it in French Guiana without any roaming charges, under the “Roam Like at Home” policy. For other international visitors, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card is a straightforward process. The challenge, however, is that once you venture into the interior of the country, away from the main roads, the mobile network coverage quickly disappears. In the vast rainforest that covers over 90% of the territory, there is generally no mobile phone service at all. For communication in these remote areas, the only option is a satellite phone, which is an essential piece of equipment for any serious expedition into the jungle.

Internet connectivity has also been transformed in recent years. French Guiana is connected to the global internet via a modern submarine fiber optic cable, which provides high-speed, high-capacity connectivity to the territory. This has enabled the rollout of high-speed broadband internet, including fiber optic (FTTH – Fiber to the Home) services, in the main coastal towns. Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes in Cayenne and Kourou offer good quality Wi-Fi to their customers. This high-quality internet is absolutely essential for the functioning of the Guiana Space Centre, which requires massive and reliable data connections to manage its rocket launches and to communicate with satellites. However, like with the mobile network, this high-speed connectivity is largely confined to the coastal strip. Bridging the digital divide and bringing internet access to the remote Amerindian and Maroon communities of the interior is a major long-term challenge for the government, and it often relies on satellite internet solutions. The media landscape in French Guiana is a blend of local and French national media. The state-owned France Télévisions operates a local public broadcaster, Guyane la 1ère, which has its own television and radio channels that provide local news and programming in French and Creole. Residents also have access to all the major national television and radio channels from mainland France via satellite. There is a private media market, with several private radio stations and a daily newspaper, *France-Guyane*. As part of the French Republic, the media operates within the framework of French law, which guarantees freedom of the press.

The postal service is operated by La Poste, the French national postal service. It provides reliable domestic and international mail and parcel services, and the postal codes are integrated into the French national system. For urgent shipments, all major international courier services, such as DHL and Chronopost, are also available in the main towns. This modern communication infrastructure, at least along the coast, is a key part of what makes French Guiana an integral part of France and the European Union. It is a vital lifeline that connects this remote South American territory to its political and economic center thousands of kilometers away, while also presenting the immense challenge of how to extend this connectivity into the vast Amazonian wilderness that defines the very essence of the land.

37) National Symbols

As an overseas department and region of the French Republic, French Guiana does not have its own official national symbols in the same way a sovereign nation does. Its official national symbols are the national symbols of France. However, the territory has a number of its own unique and widely used unofficial symbols that represent its distinct identity, its rich natural heritage, and its diverse cultural landscape. These symbols are a source of great local pride and encapsulate the unique spirit of this Amazonian and South American part of France.

Symbol	Description
Official National Symbols	The official national flag is the French Tricolor (le drapeau tricolore). The official national anthem is “La Marseillaise.” The official national motto is “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). The official national personification is Marianne. These are the symbols of the French Republic, of which French Guiana is an integral part.
Territorial Flag (Unofficial)	French Guiana has a widely used but unofficial territorial flag. It is a banner divided diagonally into a green upper triangle and a yellow lower triangle, with a single red five-pointed star in the center. The green color represents the vast Amazonian rainforest. The yellow color represents the territory’s natural resources, particularly gold. The red star is a socialist symbol, reflecting the political leanings of the pro-autonomy movements that created the flag.
Territorial Logo	The official logo of the territorial collectivity of French Guiana features a stylized silhouette of the territory’s map, with colors and imagery that evoke its natural environment, such as the sun, the rivers, and the forest.
Key Fauna	The fauna of French Guiana is incredibly rich and symbolic of the Amazon. The Jaguar is the apex predator and a powerful symbol of the wild, untamed spirit of the rainforest. The Black Caiman is a formidable reptile of the rivers. The Giant River Otter is a charismatic and endangered species. The Leatherback Sea Turtle, which nests on the beaches of the Amana Nature Reserve, is a symbol of the territory’s connection to the ocean and of conservation efforts. The Scarlet Ibis, with its brilliant red plumage, is an iconic bird of the coastal mangrove swamps.
Key Flora	The flora is dominated by the immense biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. The Kapok tree, or Silk-cotton tree, is one of the giants of the forest, a majestic and powerful symbol of the ecosystem. The Victoria Amazonica, a giant water lily with enormous leaves that can support the weight of a small child, is an iconic plant of the tranquil river waters.
Cultural Symbol: The Guiana Space Centre	The Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais) in Kourou, with its massive Ariane rockets, has become the modern and internationally recognized symbol of French Guiana. It represents the territory’s unique role as Europe’s Spaceport, a hub of high technology and a gateway to the cosmos, in stark and fascinating contrast to the ancient wilderness that surrounds it.
Cultural Symbol: The Pirogue (Dugout Canoe)	The pirogue, a long, skillfully crafted dugout canoe, is a powerful cultural symbol of life in the interior of French Guiana. For the Amerindian and Maroon communities who live along the great rivers, the pirogue is the essential tool for transportation, for fishing, and for trade. It represents a deep, ancestral connection to the rivers and a way of life that is in harmony with the natural environment.
Cultural Symbol: The Cayenne Pepper	The Cayenne pepper, a type of chili pepper, is a globally recognized symbol that takes its name from the capital city of French Guiana. It represents the vibrant, spicy, and multicultural flavors of Creole cuisine and the territory’s historical role in the global spice trade.

38) Tourism

Tourism in French Guiana offers a journey into one of the most unique, wild, and off-the-beaten-path destinations in the world. This overseas department of France is a land of profound contrasts, where the high-tech world of European space exploration meets the vast, untamed wilderness of the Amazon rainforest. It is a destination that appeals not to the mass-market tourist but to the intrepid and curious traveler, the eco-adventurer, and the history buff. The tourism industry is small and still developing, but it offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience a pristine corner of the Amazon, a rich and diverse multicultural society, and a fascinating, dark colonial history, all with the surprising familiarity of French infrastructure and the Euro as the currency. The absolute highlight of tourism in French Guiana is its spectacular and almost entirely untouched natural environment. With over 90% of its territory covered by pristine Amazonian rainforest, it is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and a paradise for ecotourism. The vast Guiana Amazonian Park, one of the largest national parks in the world, is the centerpiece of this natural wealth. The best way to experience the rainforest is by traveling on the territory’s great rivers, such as the Maroni and the Approuague. A multi-day journey in a traditional dugout canoe, or *pirogue*, staying in rustic lodges (*carbets*) or in traditional Amerindian and Maroon villages, is an unforgettable and immersive experience. These river journeys offer the chance to spot a huge variety of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, caimans, and a dazzling array of tropical birds. The marshes of Kaw, a vast wetland area, are another exceptional destination for wildlife viewing. A boat trip through the marshes at sunrise or sunset is a magical experience, offering the chance to see the iconic black caiman and the vibrant scarlet ibis. The Amana Nature Reserve on the coast is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for the giant leatherback sea turtle, and witnessing the turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs is a powerful and moving spectacle.

A second and completely unique tourism draw is the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. This is a fascinating and surreal attraction, a slice of the 21st-century space age right on the edge of the jungle. The spaceport offers guided tours that provide an in-depth look at the history of space exploration and the incredible technology of the Ariane rockets. The ultimate experience, however, is to witness a live rocket launch. From one of the safe public viewing sites, watching a massive rocket thunder into the sky is a truly awe-inspiring and unforgettable spectacle. A third key aspect of tourism is the exploration of the territory’s dark but fascinating history. The ruins of the French penal colony, or *bagne*, are a poignant and powerful reminder of this brutal past. The best-preserved site is on the Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands), located just off the coast from Kourou. A visit to these beautiful but haunting islands, including the infamous Devil’s Island, provides a chilling glimpse into the horrific conditions that the prisoners endured. The Transportation Camp in the town of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, where the convicts first arrived, has also been preserved as a museum. The capital city, Cayenne, with its Creole architecture and its bustling market, is the vibrant cultural heart of the territory, a melting pot of all the different cultures that have come to call French Guiana home. Despite this incredible potential, tourism in French Guiana faces significant challenges, including a very high cost of travel, limited infrastructure in the interior, and a number of security concerns. This makes it a destination that requires careful planning and a spirit of adventure, but for those who make the journey, it offers a truly unique and deeply rewarding travel experience.

39) Visa and Entry Requirements

The visa and entry requirements for French Guiana are a unique and often misunderstood aspect of traveling to this South American territory. The most important thing for any potential visitor to understand is that because French Guiana is an overseas department of France, it is legally and politically part of the French Republic and, by extension, the European Union. However, crucially, it is **not** a part of the Schengen Area. This means that the visa and entry policies for French Guiana are different from those for mainland France and the other Schengen countries, and a Schengen visa is not valid for entry. All travelers, regardless of their nationality, must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from their date of entry. The specific visa requirements then depend on your country of citizenship. For citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) (which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland, the entry requirements are simple. Under the principle of freedom of movement, these citizens do not need a visa to enter, live, and work in French Guiana. They simply need to carry a valid national ID card or passport. This makes travel for European citizens very straightforward. For a large number of other nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, a visa is also not required for short stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. These travelers can enter French Guiana with just their valid passport. Upon arrival, they may be asked by the border police (*Police aux Frontières*) to show proof of a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (such as a hotel reservation), and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay.

For citizens of many other countries, however, a visa is required and must be obtained in advance of travel from a French embassy or consulate. The type of visa required is not a Schengen visa but a specific visa for the French overseas departments and territories. The application process is similar to that for a Schengen visa and will require a completed application form, a valid passport, photos, and a range of supporting documents, including flight itineraries, accommodation details, financial statements, and travel health insurance. It is absolutely essential for these travelers to apply for their visa well in advance of their planned travel dates, as the process can be lengthy. One of the most critical and strictly enforced entry requirements for all travelers to French Guiana, regardless of their nationality or visa status, is the mandatory requirement for a yellow fever vaccination. All visitors arriving in French Guiana must be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (the “yellow card”) as proof of this vaccination. You will be required to present this certificate to the health authorities upon arrival at the Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport (CAY). Failure to provide a valid yellow fever certificate will result in you being denied entry to the territory. It is also highly recommended that all travelers are up-to-date on routine vaccinations and consult a travel medicine specialist for advice on other health precautions, particularly malaria prevention, as malaria is a significant risk in French Guiana, especially in the interior. Given that the specific list of countries whose citizens require a visa can change, and that the application procedures can be complex, it is highly recommended that all prospective travelers, without exception, check the most current and official entry requirements with the nearest French embassy or consulate in their home country. This is the only way to ensure that you have the correct documentation for a smooth and hassle-free entry into this unique and fascinating part of the French Republic.

In summary, the key to a successful entry into French Guiana is preparation. For many, no visa is needed for a short stay, but for all, a valid passport and a yellow fever vaccination certificate are absolute must-haves. For those who do need a visa, the advance application process is mandatory. By carefully checking and fulfilling these specific requirements, you can look forward to an incredible adventure in a land where Europe and the Amazon meet.

40) Useful Resources

To successfully plan an adventure to a destination as unique, wild, and logistically challenging as French Guiana, having access to accurate, reliable, and specialized resources is absolutely essential. The territory is not a mainstream tourist destination, so the information landscape can be more limited than for other places. It is crucial to rely on official sources for safety and entry requirements and on expert local or specialized tour operators for planning any trip into the interior. The most important official resource for tourism inspiration is the website of the **Guiana Tourism Committee (*Comité du Tourisme de la Guyane*)**. Their website, **guyane-amazonie-tourisme.com**, is the best starting point for discovering the territory’s main attractions, from the Guiana Space Centre to the Amazonian national park and the penal colony islands. The site is available in French and English and provides information on accommodation, activities, and a calendar of local events. It is an invaluable tool for getting a sense of what the territory has to offer. For definitive information on entry requirements, the most reliable source is the official French government visa website, **France-Visas**. It is crucial to remember that French Guiana is not in the Schengen Area, and this official website has a specific section where you can check the visa requirements for the French overseas departments and territories for your specific nationality. The website of the **Prefecture of French Guiana** (*Préfecture de la Guyane*) is the official portal for the French state administration in the territory and can also be a source of official information on regulations. For up-to-date health and safety information, it is absolutely vital to consult your home country’s government travel advisory body, such as the **U.S. Department of State**, the **UK’s FCDO**, or **Global Affairs Canada**. These sites provide the most current and critical information on the security situation (including the high crime rate), health risks (such as malaria and yellow fever), and local laws. Another essential health resource is the **U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)**, which provides comprehensive health information for travelers to French Guiana, including detailed advice on the mandatory yellow fever vaccination.

For visitors interested in the territory’s magnificent natural heritage, the official website of the **Guiana Amazonian Park (*Parc amazonien de Guyane*)** provides a wealth of information about this vast protected area, its biodiversity, and the regulations for visiting. For those fascinated by Europe’s space program, the official website of the **Guiana Space Centre (*Centre Spatial Guyanais*, or CSG)** is the place to go. It provides information on the guided tours of the spaceport and, most importantly, the calendar of upcoming rocket launches and the procedures for registering to watch a launch from one of the public viewing sites. Given the challenges of independent travel in the interior, using a reputable and licensed local tour operator is highly recommended. The official tourism committee website provides a list of registered tour operators who specialize in river expeditions, jungle treks, and wildlife viewing. Researching these companies and reading reviews is a key part of the planning process. For in-depth practical travel advice and cultural insights, the **Bradt Guide to French Guiana** is the most comprehensive and detailed English-language guidebook available. It is an invaluable resource for its deep understanding of the territory’s history, its culture, and its complex logistics. **Lonely Planet** and other major guidebooks also provide useful information, often as part of a larger guide to South America. Online travel forums, such as the **TripAdvisor French Guiana forum**, can also be helpful for getting firsthand tips from recent visitors, particularly regarding the current state of roads or the reputation of local guides.

For news and to get a sense of the current events and social climate, the main local newspaper is **France-Guyane**, and the local public broadcaster is **Guyane la 1ère**. Both of these are in French but can be read with the help of online translation tools. By combining the official information on visas and safety with the practical advice from expert guides and specialized tour operators, you can confidently plan an incredible and safe adventure into one of the world’s last great wildernesses.