French Guiana (Department
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Government Information
Chief
of State: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since
17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since
31 July 2002) Head of Government: President
of the General Council Pierre DESERT (since 26 March 2004) Government Type: overseas department
of France
Population Demographics
Population:
199,509 (July 2006 est.) Languages: French Religion: Roman Catholic Life Expectancy: 77.27
Economic Information
Currency:
euro (EUR) GDP(per capita): $8,300 (2003
est.) Overview: The economy is tied
closely to the much larger French economy through subsidies
and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou
(which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and forestry
are the most important economic activities. Forest and
woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves
of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support
an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs
for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal
area, where the population is largely concentrated;
rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is
heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment
is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers.
Exports: shrimp, timber, gold,
rum, rosewood essence, clothing Import: food (grains, processed
meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and
chemicals
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Geography
Information
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Brazil and Suriname Area: total: 91,000 sq km
land: 89,150 sq km
water: 1,850 sq km
Background:
First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was
the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951.
The European Space Agency launches its communication
satellites from Kourou.
Independence Day: none (overseas
department of France)
Capital City: Cayenne Administrative divisions: none
(overseas department of France)
