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French Guiana
Overview
Country Overview
French Guiana is situated on the northeast coast of South America and is bordered by Brazil and by Surinam to the west. Along the coast runs a belt of flat marshy land behind which the land rises to higher slopes and plains or savannah. The interior is comprised of equatorial jungle. Off the rugged coast lie the Iles du Salut and Devil’s Island. Cayenne, the capital and chief port, is on the island of the same name at the mouth of the Cayenne River.
Cayenne, French Guiana’s atmospheric capital and chief port offers a number of attractive sights. Points of interest include the Jesuit-built residence of the Prefect in the Place de Grenoble and the Botanical Gardens.
The main French Space Centre was built in Kourou. Ultra-modern buildings now dominate the city. Tourist attractions include tours of the space centres and bathing or fishing in the Sporting and Aero Club.
Continental, Vietnamese, Chinese, Creole and Indonesian cusinine can be sampled in most restaurants. There is good nightlife in Cayenne, Kourou and St Laurent du Maroni.
General Information
Area: 83,534 sq km (32,253 sq miles).
Population: 177,562 (official estimate 2001).
Population Density: 2.1 per sq km.
Capital: Cayenne. Population: 50,594 (1999).
GEOGRAPHY: French Guiana is situated on the northeast coast of South America and is bordered by Brazil to the south and the east and by Surinam to the west. The southern Serra Tumucumaque Mountains are part of the eastern frontier, whilst the rest is formed by the River Oyapock. Surinam is to the west along the rivers Maroni-Itani and to the north is the Atlantic coastline. Along the coast runs a belt of flat marshy land behind which the land rises to higher slopes and plains or savannah. The interior is comprised of equatorial jungle. Off the rugged coast lie the Iles du Salut and Devil’s Island. Cayenne, the capital and chief port, is on the island of the same name at the mouth of the Cayenne River.
Government: French Guiana is an Overseas Department of France and, as such, is an integral part of the French Republic. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by Prefect Henri Masse since 1999.
Language: The official language is French, though most of the population speak a Creole patois. English is widely spoken.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Time: GMT - 3.
Electricity: 220/127 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD available. Country code: 594. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network is operated by France Caraïbe Mobiles, and covers coastal areas and some of the interior. Handsets can be hired locally.
Fax
Facilities are widely available.
Internet
Local ISPs include Wanadoo (Website: www.wanadoo.fr). There are Internet cafes in Cayenne.
Press
The daily newspapers include France-Guyane and La Presse de Guyane. There are no English-language newspapers.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | No | Yes | | Australian | Yes | No | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | No | Yes | | USA | Yes | No | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes | No | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | No | Yes |
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal and Spain, provided holding a National Identity Card.
VISAS: Required by all except the following;
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for a stay of up to three months;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR) (red passport holders only), Hungary, Iceland, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to three months;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost: Short-stay (single-entry): (1-30 days) £15.72; (31-90 days) £18.87. Short-stay (double-entry): £22.01. Transit: £6.29.
Validity: Short-stay visas (up to 30 days) are valid for two months. Short stay visas (31-90 days and double-entry) are valid for a maximum of six months from date of issue. Transit visas are valid for single or multiple entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day of arrival.
Application to: French Consulate General (for personal applications), or consular section at Embassy (for diplomatic or service visas); see Contact Addresses section for France. All applications must be made in person.
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-sized photos. (d) Fee to be paid in cash only. (e) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (f) Letter from employer, or proof of stay in country of residence. (g) Proof of address. (h) Medical insurance. (i) Return ticket. (j) Proof of accommodation during stay.
Working days required: One day to three weeks depending on nationality.
Temporary residence: If intending to work or stay for longer than three months, nationals should contact the Long Stay visa section of the Consulate General or Embassy (tel: (020) 7073 1248).
Money
Currency: Since 1 January 1999, the Euro, which was introduced in January 2002, has been the official currency for the French Overseas Departments (Départements d’Outre-Mer) French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. For further details, exchange rates and currency restrictions, see France section.
Currency exchange: There is a bureau de change at Rochambeau airport and three bureaux de change in Cayenne (Change Caraïbes, Change Minas and Guyane Change). They will exchange money every day except Saturday.
Credit & debit cards: American Express, Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard and Carte Bleue are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: These are only accepted in a few places in Cayenne and Kourou. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions: For details of currency restrictions, see France section.
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0745-1130, 1500-1700.
Duty Free
See France section.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 4 Mardi Gras. Mar 5 Ash Wednesday. Apr 18-21 Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 VE Day. May 29 Ascension. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jun 10 Abolition of Slavery. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 15 Cayenne Festival. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 2 All Souls’ Day. Nov 11 Remembrance Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 24 Mardi Gras. Feb 25 Ash Wednesday. Apr 9-12 Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 VE Day. May 20 Ascension. May 31 Whit Monday. Jun 10 Abolition of Slavery. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 15 Cayenne Festival. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 2 All Souls’ Day. Nov 11 Remembrance Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | Yes | 1 | | Cholera | No | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 2 | N/A | | Malaria | 3 | N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from all countries.
2: Immunisation against typhoid is sometimes advised.
3: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, is high throughout the year in the nine municipalities of French Guiana bordering Brazil (Oiapoque river valley) and Surinam (Maroni river valley). In the other 13 municipalities, the transmission risk is low or negligible. High level of multiresistant falciparum reported in areas influenced by Brazilian migration.
Food & drink: Mains water is normally heavily chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other risks: Hepatitis A is common. Hepatitis B and D are highly endemic. American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occcur. Brucellosis is common. There is a slight risk of rabies if in contact with wild animals. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: There are medical facilities in Cayenne but very few elsewhere. Medical insurance is advisable.
Travel - International
AIR: French Guiana’s national airline is Air Guyane (GG), though it only offers internal services. Air France operates six flights a week to Cayenne from Paris. Other airlines serving the country include Surinam Airways, Air Canada and Air Caraïbes.
Approximate flight times: From Cayenne to London (via Paris) is 11 hours 30 minutes.
International airports: Cayenne (CAY) (Rochambeau) is 15km (9 miles) southwest of the city. Taxis are available to the city or hotel (travel time – 25 minutes). Aiport facilities include air conditioning, bars, banks/bureaux de change, a newsagents and car hire (Avis and Hertz).
Departure tax: None.
RIVER: There are ferries across the Maroni River from St Laurent du Moroni to Albina (Surinam). Services also operate from St Georges to Oiapoque (Brazil) across the Oiapoque River.
ROAD: A road runs along the coast from Guyana through Surinam to French Guiana. There is an all-weather road connecting Cayenne with St Laurent, but it may be impassable in the rainy season. It is possible to drive from Cayenne to Paramaribo (Surinam), but it is safer to leave ones car at St Laurent and take public transport (minibus) to Paramaribo. The Cayenne district is served by a good road system.
Travel - Internal
AIR: Air Guyane serves the interior of the country from Cayenne, including Maripasaula, St Georges de l'Oyapock and Saül et Régina.
SEA/RIVER: There are numerous coastal and river transport services. Contact local authorities for information.
ROAD: There is a road along the coast from Cayenne to Kourou and beyond. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Services operate along the coast. Taxi: Available in Cayenne. Car hire: Available at the airport or in Cayenne. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required.
Accommodation
HOTELS: Since French Guiana was chosen as a site for European space development, a number of well-appointed air-conditioned hotels have been built. Prices are the highest on the continent. Cayenne, Kourou, Sinnamary and St Laurent du Maroni all offer excellent accommodation. Guest-houses and gîtes (cottages) are cheaper alternatives. For further details, contact the Comité du Tourisme de la Guyane (see Contact Addresses section).
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Inland camping is available, sleeping on hammocks strung from the walls of a carbet (a jungle version of a shack). It is also possible to hire a camping-car. For further details, contact the Comité du Tourisme de la Guyane (see Contact Addresses section).
Introduction
Cayenne: French Guiana’s atmospheric capital and chief port offers a number of attractive sights. Points of interest include the Jesuit-built residence of the Prefect in the Place de Grenoble, the Canal Laussat (built in 1777) and the Botanical Gardens. In the centre of town, the Musée Départamental and the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises feature good exhibits on indigenous peoples and the notorious penal settlements on Devil’s Island. Lively cafes and market stalls are to be found in the Place des Palmistes. Montjoly, the city’s best beach, is a short drive away.
Kourou: The main French Space Centre was built here which makes Kourou something of a European enclave. Ultra-modern buildings now dominate the city and there are several restaurants and two good hotels. Tourist attractions include tours of the space centres, bathing, fishing and the Sporting and Aero Club.
Iles du Salut: These islands include the infamous Devil’s Island, where political prisoners were held. There is a hotel (an ex-mess hall for the prison warders) on Ile Royale.
Haut-Maroni and Haut-Oyapoc: Visits to Amerindian villages in these areas are restricted; permission must be obtained from the Préfecture in Cayenne before arrival in the country.
Sport & Activities
Sea-fishing: This is popular, and can be undertaken from rocks, as well as from boats. Fishing for sharks and other big fish can be done in the open sea. Fresh-water fishing and fly-fishing are also popular.
Other: French Guiana is an expensive destination for adventure travellers. There are river trips and treks into the interior, and jungle shelters are available for overnight stops. A special permit is necessary from the Préfecture in Cayenne. There are tennis courts in Cayenne and some hotels also have courts. Canoeing, horse-riding, and sailing can also be arranged. Swimming is safe around Ile de Cayenne and some hotels have pools. Facilities for water-skiing are available in Kourou and Montjoly.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: There is a fairly good selection of restaurants and hotel dining rooms offering a number of different cuisines. The majority of them are in Cayenne, although French, Continental, Vietnamese, Chinese, Creole and Indonesian restaurants can be found elsewhere. A local speciality is the bouillon d'aoura, a dish of smoked fish, crab, prawns, vegetables and chicken, served with aoura, the fruit of savana trees.
Nightlife: There are nightclubs in Cayenne, Kourou and St Laurent du Maroni. Cayenne also has one cinema featuring French-language films. Cinemas can also be found in Kourou and St Laurent.
Shopping: Within the past few years, a great many new boutiques have opened offering a wide range of merchandise. Good buys are basketry, hammocks, pottery, wood sculpture and gold jewellery.
Special Events: For a list of special events in 2003, contact the Comité du Tourisme de la Guyane (see Contact Addresses section). The main event, which takes place every year from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday, is the Carnival. The dates for 2003 are Jan 6-Mar 5.
Social Conventions: Conservative casual wear is suitable almost everywhere. On beaches, modest beachwear is preferred. Normal social courtesies should be adhered to. Tipping: In hotels and restaurants, a ten per cent tip is usual. Taxi drivers are not tipped.
Business Profile
Economy: French Guiana’s economy is heavily dependent on that of France. Most of the workforce is engaged in agriculture, principally forestry and fisheries. Vegetables and rice are the principal crops, most of which are consumed domestically. Exploitation of French Guiana’s mineral resources, which, in addition to timber from the country’s extensive forests, include gold, bauxite and kaolin, is steadily growing. Gold production continues to flourish, with actual production levels and sales suspected to be far higher than official estimates. Exploration activity expanded in the mid 1990s, following the construction of a major new road allowing access to the interior. Development of the service sector, particularly tourism (and the promising field of eco-tourism), had previously been hampered by poor infrastructure. The country’s other notable economic asset, acquired by virtue of its position close to the equator, is the European Space Agency’s satellite launch facility at Kourou. French Guiana runs a huge trade deficit, with exports less than ten per cent of imports. In common with most French overseas territories, French Guiana has a high unemployment level of about 22 per cent. Other than France, Guadeloupe and Martinique, the USA, Trinidad and Tobago and Italy are the country’s major trading partners.
Business: Lightweight suits are required. English will be understood by practically everyone, although a working knowledge of French may be of assistance. The best time to visit is August to November. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300, 1500-1800.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de la Guyane, BP 49, Hôtel Consulaire, place de l’Esplanade, 97321 Cayenne (tel: 299 600; fax: 299 634 or 299 645; e-mail: contact@guyane.cci.fr; website: www.guyane.cci.fr).
Climate
Tropical. Dry season is August to December; rainy season is December and January and April to July. Hot all year round, with cooler nights. Average temperature is 27°C (85°F).
Required clothing: Tropical lightweights and rainwear.
History and Government
History: French Guiana was discovered by the Spanish in 1496, who established a few settlements in 1503 and 1504. The French first moved in a century later. Under the 1667 Treaty of Breda, the Dutch, who had also shown an interest in the area, were forced out. Numerous changes in control followed over the next 200 years, alternating between France, Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal, until the territory was finally confirmed as French in 1817. The colony enjoyed a brief period of prosperity in the 1850s when gold was discovered, but afterwards went into a decline from which it has never fully recovered.
French Guiana was finally given French Overseas Department status in 1946, under which the territory effectively became an integral part of the French nation. However, the territory was largely neglected by Paris and continued to deteriorate until civil unrest broke out in the 1970s. After a security crackdown, the central government promised various improvements. These failed to materialise until the Mitterrand presidency, under which a series of reforms was introduced in 1982-83. Some decentralisation also took place: local affairs are now dealt with by the Regional Council.
The President of the Regional Council since March 1992, Antoine Karam, is French Guiana’s single representative in the French Senate. Karam is a member of the Parti Socialiste Guyanais (PSG), which has long been the strongest political party and is allied to its French namesake. The Socialists’ principal rivals are the Forces Démocratiques Guyanaises (FDG). The PSG is the largest party on the Regional Council following the most recent election in March 1998 but, lacking an overall majority, relies on the support of other left-wing parties. A new non-aligned party, the Walwaries, has made something of an impact on French Guianese politics in recent years; the Gaullist Rassemblement pour la République (RPR) also has a small presence.
The political complexion of the territory was last tested at the 2002 French presidential election, where Jacques Chirac won a handsome majority (see France section). The domestic political agenda has been generally dominated by the territory’s relatively poor social and economic conditions compared to those in France: a series of strikes and protests by school students during the late 1990s was felt to be a reflection of wider discontent. The alternative to being an integral part of the French state is self-government and independence. However, enthusiasm for either is lacking and the small independence movement has made little headway in recent years. Paris has also made it clear that it will not countenance any change in French Guiana’s status for the time being.
Government: As an Overseas Department, French Guiana is represented by one member of the Senate and one member of the National Assembly in France. Locally, there is a 19-member General Council which assists an appointed Prefect, and the 31-member Regional Council. Both are elected for a six-year term by universal adult suffrage.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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