Fun and Interesting Facts About French Guiana
French Guiana is a fascinating destination that often surprises travelers. Information about this unique region can be hard to find, so we’ve put together everything you need to know—from its location and language to government, capital, and what it’s famous for.
Where Is French Guiana Located?
French Guiana is situated on the northeastern coast of South America, bordered by Brazil to the south and east, Suriname to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. What makes it truly unique is that it is an overseas department of France—meaning it’s technically part of Europe, even though it is thousands of miles away on a different continent.
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French Guiana Location Relative to South America
French Guiana is an overseas department of France, located on the northeastern coast of South America. It shares borders with Brazil to the south and east, Suriname to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Its status as a French territory means that the Euro (EUR) is the official currency, despite being on a different continent.
Population and Religion
French Guiana has a population of approximately 294,000 people spread across an area of 83,846 square kilometers (32,373 square miles). The majority of the population follows Roman Catholicism, though other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam are also practiced.
The capital city, Cayenne, is known for its charming Creole houses and vibrant street markets, which offer unique local crafts and a taste of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
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Street Markets in the capital, Cayenne
In French Guiana, you can find some breathtaking scenery and historical sites, not to mention the Space Center (more on that later on in this post). These attractions are going to amaze you.
It’s one of the most interesting locations around the world. It’s truly a European hidden gem, located in South America.
Discovery and Origins
This French territory was explored by Christopher Columbus in 1498 during a trip to the New World. The French called it Guiana which is derived from an American Indian word that means “Land of Waters”.
French Guiana got such a unique name because it has several rivers and streams flow throughout the area.
Nature
It has a wide range of tropical forests which are particularly beautiful. The forest has several species unique to French Guiana (such as the dyeing poison frog pictured below) and many kinds of trees as well. French Guiana is close to the equator which makes the weather warm and comforting throughout the year.
Dyeing Poison Frog
Furthermore, it’s home to beautiful beaches, savannahs, and rainforests. The majority of the population lives in the coastal area along the Caribbean Sea with brown and white sand which adds to its beauty.
You can also enjoy several activities on the beach like fishing, going on the raft and enjoying the canoe. Several operators can get you to experience many water sports.
The long strand of beaches here is one of the best places for turtles for laying eggs. The three protected species of turtles, the leatherback, pacific Ridley, and green sea are commonly found here. The sighting of turtles is very common along the beaches. The turtles usually lay eggs between the period from February and August.
You can watch baby turtles coming out of the eggs and progressing their ways to the ocean for their first-ever swim. It’s surely a sight to see and enjoy.
Most of the coastal area of French Guiana is under sea level and they have channel gates to re-direct water to avoid flooding and damage to the houses.
Official Language of French Guiana
As the name “French Guiana” implies, the official language here is French. This language is part of all the official documentation and communication. The education is also completely in French. It’s particularly interesting because that makes it the one-of-a-kind territory in South America which has French as the official language.
There’s a long history that contributed to the language status in this territory. It started in 1949 when Spanish people arrived here and claimed the authority in this region. When the French arrived, it led to a power struggle between many European nations including the Dutch.
Ultimately, in 1946 it was named as a French Overseas Department. These facts resulted in the dominance of the French language in the territory.
Guyanese Creole that has African, Indian, and Amerindian dialects is also widely spoken across the territory. However, minorities also speak some six Amerindian languages. These Amerindian languages are part of the regional languages spoken in the territory by different tribes.
This region has seen many European nationalities come and go. It still has roots in languages like Spanish, English, Dutch, and Portuguese.
Note that the majority of the population doesn’t understand English. So it’s a good idea to learn some words of French if you’re planning to visit here.
Part of European Union
As a department of France, this territory is part of the European Union. This puts it in a unique position being a part of Europe in South America. It’s one of the outermost parts of Europe.
Even though it’s almost 7,000 km away from Paris, the French laws and constitution are implemented here with a court of appeal locally. There are also members sent from here to both the national assembly and the senate of France.
It also follows the same social-security structure as that of France with the same policies for compensation related to unemployment, maternity, and disability, etc. The education is free from 6 years to 16 years and school is attended by the majority of the population. This results in the literacy rate of approximately 83%.
The traveling rules are the same as applied in the countries part of the European Union. People from Europe and the USA can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. The main airport “Félix Eboué Airport” is situated in Cayenne. French Guiana is safe for travel with a little percentage of crimes reported. Nonetheless, you should be careful to not visit deserted and isolated areas to be safe.
Over time there was some unrest in the territory for forming the autonomous body and coming out from the shadow of France. These efforts were rejected by the majority of the population in the form of a referendum. That’s why it continues to be a territory and part of France and enjoys the benefits of being backed by a strong economy.
Prison on Devil’s Island
One of the major interesting facts about French Guiana is that it served as a penal colony of the French people. The most notorious group of three Islands were used as a prison system where the prisoners were held including the political ones.
The islands in the prison system were Devil’s Island, St Joseph Island and Royale Island.
Ile du Diable (Devil’s Island) in French Guiana, one of the penal colonies
This prison remained functional for more than a hundred years from 1852 to 1953. The Islands were collectively called Isles de Salut which means the Island of Salvation.
Before it was declared as a prison, it was used as a leper colony. Later it become a dumping ground for murderers, rapists, and political prisoners, etc. This prison was particularly infamous for the inhumane treatment of prisoners, very bad survival conditions, and absolutely no comfort facilities.
Over time, there were around 70,000 to 80,000 inmates sent over here and only a few thousand survived to see the end of this prison in 1953. Fights and murders were common inside the prison and guards invented new ways of punishing those who disobeyed them.
It was only accessible through a cable car due to the currents and tides. The current around the area made it impossible to use any other medium. Also, the water is infested with sharks making it impossible to escape the prison.
After the conclusion of the prison, Devil’s Island is still closed for public access. The current is so strong that no ships can be docked there making it unsafe for visitors.
But you can still book a tour to visit the other two Islands – St Joseph and Royale – which are still open to public.
On the islands that are open to public, there’s a restaurant, a small hotel and a gift shop which sells souvenirs. Also, there are guided tours that include the history of the early days.
If you plan to visit the place for a day or half-day tour, it’s important that you carry the essentials with you like water, sunscreen, and snacks, etc. There’s no wheelchair access and for visiting the upper part you need to do a 120-foot climb which can be a bit uncomfortable for children and the elderly. The tours can be booked locally with different operators offering competitive rates.
Forests
98.3% of French Guiana teritory is covered in tropical forests. That covers almost 8 million hectares and contains valuable species of animals and trees alike. It holds the major part of the Amazon forest strip. It’s one of the finest places in Amazon in terms of biodiversity and has many species of animals which you won’t find anywhere else.
The forest is approximately 80% in the unharmed condition with 48% of the protected area. That makes it one of the most secured areas for biodiversity. Also, French Guiana comes under the CAR-SPAW which is the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment.
This agreement looks after the protocols in place for the preservation and protection of the area with ecological value and the sustainable management of the wildlife. You can read more about the initiative here.
Another interesting fact about the forests in French Guiana is that it has more tree types than the whole of Europe combined. It’s also home to three times more vertebrates, has almost 490 species of freshwater fish, and 170 species of reptiles including the most famous “Anaconda”. The forest is also home to the largest beetle on earth – the titan beetle which can grow up to 7 inches in size.
You can visit and plan a tour to the Amazonian park in French Guiana which covers 41% of the overall land area of French Guiana. The huge area size makes it the largest national park and biodiversity center in the whole European Union.
It’s a paradise for nature lovers and here you can experience it in its true essence. Here is the list of animal species in French Guiana.
Here is the location of the Amazonian Park.
Space Station
Yes, you read it right. Another interesting and fun fact about French Guiana, Space Station is a must-visit place. French Guiana has a very modern and fully functional space center. It’s commonly known as Guiana Space Center.
Guiana Space Center
Space Exploration in French Guiana: Kourou Space Center
Located in Kourou, the Guiana Space Centre was initially launched by France and later became a key hub for the European Space Agency (ESA) after its establishment in 1975. Over the years, it has supported launches of all three types of vehicles: the heavy-lift Ariane 5, the medium-weight Soyuz, and the lightweight Vega, making it one of the most advanced launch bases in the world.
Kourou’s geographical location near the equator provides a significant advantage for launches, allowing for flexible launch angles. The area is also largely free from natural disasters such as cyclones or earthquakes. With vast forests and a low population density, it is an ideal site for space exploration.
The space center primarily launches satellites for weather, telecommunications, and scientific research. It also supports international clients from the USA, Japan, Canada, and other countries. Funding is provided by ESA. Visitors can arrange observatory visits during rocket launches or explore the space museum on site.
If launch viewing at the center is unavailable, nearby locations like Kourou beach or Montagne Carapa provide excellent vantage points to witness the spectacle from a distance.
Culture and Cuisine
French Guiana is a vibrant blend of French and Creole influences. Urban areas are rich in culture, with colorful traditional costumes, music, and dance shaped by European, African, American, and Amerindian traditions.
The annual Mardi Gras Carnival, usually held in January or February, is a cultural highlight featuring parades, music, and elaborate costumes.
Cuisine in French Guiana is equally diverse. Local dishes blend Creole, Caribbean, and Bushinengue influences. Seafood—shrimp, smoked fish, and crab—is especially popular. Staples like rice, beans, and sweet potatoes appear in daily meals, while Pepperpot, a stewed meat and vegetable dish, is served on special occasions like Christmas.
French Guiana Weather
French Guiana enjoys a warm, tropical climate year-round, with average temperatures around 85°F (29°C). Peak summer temperatures can reach 99–104°F (37–40°C), but nights cool down to a comfortable 71–76°F (21–24°C). The rainy season runs from April to July and December to January, so a dry bag is recommended for electronics and cameras.
Travelers should wear light, breathable clothing and use high SPF sunscreen, as the UV index hovers around 11–12 year-round.
Transportation
The most common modes of transport in French Guiana are airplanes, boats, buses, and road vehicles. In urban areas like Cayenne, six bus lines provide affordable commuting. For exploring scenic coastal regions and forests, renting a car is recommended. French Guiana has no passenger rail system, although a railway exists within the space center for operational use.
Why Visit French Guiana?
French Guiana is a hidden gem for nature and adventure lovers. From lush forests and rivers to waterfalls and wildlife, there’s plenty to explore. Urban culture is equally captivating, offering a blend of French, Creole, and indigenous traditions, delicious cuisine, and vibrant festivals.
Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture, or relaxation in a tropical setting, French Guiana offers an unforgettable experience with warm weather, scenic landscapes, and unique attractions.
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