A Closer Look at French Guiana
French Guiana Flag
French Guiana Formation Date
November 28, 1958
French Guiana Capital Name
Cayenne
French Guiana Neighbours
Exploring French Guiana
Origin of French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France located on the north-eastern coast of South America, bordering Suriname, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. It has been a part of France since 1817, when France took control of the former Dutch territory of Guiana. French Guiana's culture and identity remain strongly French, and French law and civil regulations are in effect throughout the country.Culture
As an overseas region of France, French Guiana is heavily influenced by French culture. This influences everything from language, food, music, art, and customs. French Guianan people are generally very accepting of international visitors, and they are very comfortable with French values and way of life. French is the official language, though many people also speak Creole as well as Portuguese, Spanish, and Indigenous languages. Music, dance, and art forms are heavily influenced by French Caribbean, African, and Native American cultures.Sport
Sports in French Guiana are hugely popular, with football being the national sport. The local clubs play in the French Championnat National and the French Cup. Basketball, volleyball, and rugby are also popular sports, while cricket is the most popular sport in the rural areas. Other sports such as surfing, sailing, and fishing are also common in French Guiana.Religion
Catholicism is the dominant religion in French Guiana. It is estimated that about 60% of the population is Catholic, while nearly a third of the population practice other forms of Christianity and small number follow other religions. The main branches of Christianity are the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches. Other religions present in French Guiana include the Ewe religion, Jamaican revival cults, and the African religion known as Vodou.Languages
French is the official language of French Guiana and is spoken by most inhabitants. Other languages spoken in the country include Arawak, Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and indigenous languages. The Creole language is used in informal contexts and is also spoken in the rural areas of French Guiana. English is not widely spoken in French Guiana but is becoming increasingly popular as a second language in the urban areas.Education
Education in French Guiana is highly regarded, and the literacy rate is close to 100%. Education is provided by the government and is free and mandatory from the ages of 6-16. After completing their primary education, students can pursue secondary education at either the lycée or college level. There are also many private and international schools in French Guiana, as well as universities and other tertiary institutions that provide higher education.Demographics
French Guiana has a population of approximately 250,000 people, with a population density of 209 people per sq. Km. The population is largely composed of people of European descent and is highly urbanized. Other ethnic groups present in French Guiana include Amerindians, Chinese, East Asians, and African descent. The economy is largely dependent on agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mineral extraction.Commerce
The economy of French Guiana relies largely on its bustling tourism and commerce. It is a major port for cargo shipping and is the world’s largest operator of cargo ships. The country is also home to some of the regions largest retailers, such as Carrefour and Casino. Many local businesses are involved in the fishing industry, as well as the production of food items, timber products, and electronics.Weather
French Guiana has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from about 21°C to 34°C (70°F to 94°F). The country is located near the equator and experiences the wet and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from December to May and the dry season lasts from June to November. The highest levels of annual rainfall are found along the coast.Borders
French Guiana is bordered by Suriname to the west, Brazil to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and north. The borders are open to commerce and travel between the countries, but there are still tight restrictions in place to prevent the spread of infections and diseases. The border between French Guiana and Brazil is especially tense, as it has been a source of conflict in past years.French Guiana Highest Point Name
The highest point in French Guiana is Mont René-Lasthomme at an elevation of 3,502 feet (1,067 meters).
French Guiana Capital Longitude
Cayenne, 3.933889
French Guiana Capital Latitude
Cayenne is the capital of French Guiana and its latitude is 4.9348° N.
French Guiana Official Languages
French
French Guiana Ethnic Groups
The population of French Guiana is composed primarily of Haitians, French, Surinamese, Creoles, Javanese, Maroons, and Amerindians. Approximately 35% of the population is of mixed descent. The largest ethnic groups are the Arawak and the Carib, who make up about 10% of the population. Other Amerindian groups include the Wayana, Palikur, Kalina, Emerillon, Tupinambas, and Yanomami. Haitians, who have traditionally been a migrant population on the territory, make up a significant part of the population. French is the official language, but Tera International, a regional creole language based on French and Amerindian languages, is spoken by around 25% of the population, and Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish are also spoken.
French Guiana Religions
The predominant religion in French Guiana is Christianity, mainly Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and a host of syncretic Afro-American religions. There is also a sizable minority of non-religious people. A small percentage of the population still practice traditional Amerindian animistic beliefs. Since the late 20th century, other religions, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Bahai, have grown in popularity and are now represented in the territory. The Christian communities are generally well-organized and have good communication among them. They are further strengthened by the presence of various missionary organizations. There is a great intermixing among the various religious groups and a cohesive policy of inter-faith dialogue.
French Guiana Total Area
French Guiana has a total area of 83,534 km2 (32,253 sq mi).
French Guiana Land Area
French Guiana is 97330 km² (37491 mi²).
French Guiana Water Area
The water area of French Guiana is 25,680 sq km (9,900 sq mi).
French Guiana Total Population
French Guiana has a total population of 298,681 as of 2020.
French Guiana Currency Name
Euro
French Guiana Currency Code
GNF
French Guiana Currency Symbol
The currency in French Guiana is the Euro (EUR).
French Guiana Time Zones
- UTC-03:00
French Guiana is in the UTC-3 time zone. Daylight savings time is not observed, so the time does not shift.
French Guiana Calling Code
+594
French Guiana Internet TLD
www.aveholidays.gf
How to Say "French Guiana" In Different Languages?
- Portuguese
- Guiana Francesa (pt-BR)
- Mandarin Chinese
- 法属圭亚那 (zh-CN)
- Finnish
- Ranskan Guayana (fi-FI)
- French
- Guyane française (fr-FR)
- German
- Französisch-Guayana (de-DE)
- Greek
- Γαλλική Γουιάνα (el-GR)
- Hindi
- फ़्रांसीसी गियाना (hi-IN)
- Indonesian
- Guyana Perancis (id-ID)
- Italian
- Guiana francese (it-IT)
- Japanese
- フランス領ギアナ (ja-JP)
- Spanish
- Guayana Francesa (es-MX)
- Polish
- Gujana Francuska (pl-PL)
- Arabic
- غيانا الفرنسية (ar-SA)
- Afrikaans
- Frans-Guyana (af-ZA)
- Korean
- 프랑스 령 기아나 (ko-KR)
- Swedish
- Franska Guyana (sv-SE)
- Thai
- ประเทศเฟรนช์เกียนา (th-TH)
- Turkish
- Fransız Guyanası (tr-TR)
- Ukrainian
- Французька Гвіана (uk-UA)
French Guiana Popular Holidays
- New Year's Day
- 1 January
- Epiphany
- 6 January
- Shrove Tuesday
- 25 February
- Ash Wednesday
- 26 February
- International Women's Day
- 8 March
- Easter Sunday
- 21 April
- Labour Day
- 1 May
- Ascension Day
- 13 May
- Whit Monday
- 25 May
- Abolition Day
- 10 June
- Fete de la Musique
- 21 June
- National Day
- 14 July
- Assumption Day
- 15 August
- All Saints' Day
- 1 November
- Armistice Day
- 11 November
- National Heroes Day
- 21 November
- Christmas
- 25 December