French Guiana Travel Overview
Important facts
Capital: Cayenne
Official language: French
Continent: South America
Carnival in South America !!!
The country of French Guiana is an overseas territory of France. It is characterized by its Atlantic coast and the inland rainforest.
Location
The country borders Brazil, Surinam e and the Atlantic Ocean. It is populated with 206,000 residents. The country is a prefecture of France and therefore also part of the European Union.
Travel time
The country is characterized by a tropical climate and therefore has a rainy season, which runs from December to May. June to December is the dry season in the country and therefore ideal travel weather. You can fly directly to the country with Air France flights from Europe.
Useful information
There is little public transport in the country. Borrowing a rental car is therefore obvious if you want to explore the hinterland. The country invites you to discover, because it is too expensive for shopping tourists because there is a luxury tax in the country.
Kitchen
The cuisine is very exotic for European tourists and there are also protected species on the menu. Please do not choose any endangered species such as turtles or caimans, as the consumption of these animals is now endangering their population !
If you want something special to experience in French Guiana, visit the country during Carnival ! The parades in Cayenne, Kourou and Saint Laurent are especially worth a visit as they take place every Sunday.
Important facts
Capital: Cayenne
Official language: French
Currency
Geography
Continent: South America
Geo coordinates: N 3 ° 56 ‘2 ” W -53 ° -7’ -32.8″
Highest mountain: Bellevue de l’Inini (851 m)
Total area: 91,000 km²
Mainland: 89,150 km²
National border: 1,183 km
Coastline: 378 km
Politics
Dependency: France since 1817
Other political affiliation: European Union since 1957
Economy
Electricity consumption: 462 million KWh
Oil consumption: 7,500 million m³
Cultivation area: 0.17%
Bovine: 9,500 pieces
Pigs: 10,700 pieces
Fishing: 4,900 t
Demographic data
Residents: 199,500
Residents in cities: 149,100
Average age: 28.6 years
0-14 years: 28.9%
15-64 years: 64.8%
> 65 years: 6.3%
Population growth: 1.96%
Birth rate: 20.46 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 4.88 / 1,000 residents
Migration: 4.01 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 1.12
Fertility: 2.98 children / woman
Infant mortality: 11.76 ‰
Life expectancy men: 73.95 years
Life expectancy women: 80.75 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: GF
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: GUF
ISO 3166 numeric: 254
Top Level Domain: gf
UN / LOCODE: GF
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Health
Number of doctors: 260
Daily food intake: 3,060 kcal / resident
Education
Illiteracy: 15%
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
There are no direct connections from Frankfurt / M., Vienna and Zurich. Air France (AF) (Internet: www.airfrance.de) and Air Caraibes (TX) (Internet: www.aircaraibes.com) offer direct flights from Paris.
Flight times
Frankfurt – Cayenne: 18 hours; Vienna / Zurich – Cayenne: 19 hours
Departure fee
No.
Arrival by car
A coastal road leads from Guyana through Suriname to French Guiana. An all-weather road connects Cayenne with St. Laurent du Maroni, although it is sometimes not passable during the rainy season. From Cayenne you can also drive to Paramaribo (Suriname), but it is safer to leave your car in St. Laurent and use public transport (minibus service). The Cayenne district has a good road network.
Arrival by ship
The main ports are Cayenne and Kourou. There are ferries along the Maroni River from St. Laurent du Moroni to Albina (Suriname). There are also ferries from St. Georges to Oiapoque (Brazil) along the Oiapoque River.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Air Guyane (GG) (Internet: www.airguyane.com) operates regular domestic flights to Maripasoula, St Georges de l’Oyapock and Saül et Régina. Helicopter flights are offered by Héli Inter Guyane (Tel: 35 62 31) and Héli Union Guyane (Tel: 35 63 67) from Cayenne Airport.
On the way by car / bus
The road network in the area around Cayenne is good; there are connecting roads from Cayenne via Kourou to other towns. A good all-weather road leads from Cayenne to St. Laurent du Maroni. In the rainy season, some roads are difficult to drive, the all-weather road to Kourou has been repaired. Long-distance buses operate on the coast. There is a small SMTC bus network in Cayenne. Taxis are available in Cayenne. International rental companies can be found in Cayenne and Kourou. Documents: International driver’s license recommended, but not compulsory.
On the way by ship
There are numerous coastal and river connections. Further information on site.
