Guyane
Guyane, also known as French Guiana, is an overseas region and department of France, located on the northeastern coast of South America. Here's detailed information about this unique region:
Geography
- Location: Situated between the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Suriname to the west, and Brazil to the east and south.
- Size: With an area of 83,534 km², it is the largest of France's overseas departments.
- Climate: Tropical, with two wet seasons and two dry seasons annually.
- Landscape: Dominated by rainforests, with coastal plains, marshlands, and savannahs.
History
- Indigenous Peoples: Before European contact, the area was inhabited by various indigenous groups including the Kali'na, Wayana, and Teko.
- Colonial Era:
- Penal Colony: From 1852 to 1951, it served as a penal colony for France, famously known as Devil's Island.
- Modern History:
- Since the 1960s, there has been a significant increase in population due to migration from French West Indies and France Métropole.
- Space industry development with the establishment of the Guiana Space Centre in 1968.
- Recent years have seen political movements advocating for greater autonomy or even independence from France.
Economy
- Space Industry: The Guiana Space Centre at Kourou is Europe's spaceport, operated by European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace.
- Gold Mining: Gold mining remains a significant economic activity, although it's often associated with environmental degradation and social issues.
- Forestry and Agriculture: Despite the rich natural resources, agriculture is not a major contributor due to the challenging environment.
- Fishing: Coastal fishing and aquaculture are developing sectors.
Culture
- Language: French is the official language, but various Creole languages, indigenous languages, and Sranan Tongo are also spoken.
- Demographics: A diverse population with a majority being of African descent, followed by indigenous peoples, Europeans, and immigrants from Haiti and Brazil.
- Heritage: Rich cultural heritage influenced by Amerindian, African, French, and Caribbean traditions.
External Links
Related Topics