French Guiana
Updated: Oct 1, 2022
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Country Name
French Guiana.
Location
French Guiana is on the northern coast of South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west. French Guiana is the only territory in the Americas to have full integration with a European country.
Capital
Cayenne.
Reason for Naming the country
Christopher Columbus sighted the Guiana coast in 1498 during his third trip to the New World. The French first settled the land one hundred years later, calling it Guiana, the French form of an American Indian word that means "land of waters."
Flag
The French national flag - the Tricolore - consists of three vertical bands of equal width, displaying the country's national colors: blue, white, and red.
Language
The official language of French Guiana is French, spoken by most residents as a first or second language. In addition, a number of other local languages exist. Regional languages include French Guianese Creole (not to be confused with Guyanese Creole), six Amerindian languages (Arawak, Palijur, Kali'na, Wayana, Wayampi, Emerillon), four Maroon creole languages (Saramaka, Paramaccan, Aluku, Ndyuka), as well as Hmong Njua. Other languages spoken include Portuguese, Hakka, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Dutch, English, Tamil, and Caribbean Hindustani.
Religion
The vast majority of French Guianas are Roman Catholic. There are many other religions practiced by minority groups these include indigenous Amerindian shamanistic religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and African-based religions.
Currency
Euro (€).
Time Zone
-03:00 GMT.
Government Regime
French Guiana is a part of the French Republic and thereby subject to the same regulations and political hierarchy as France. There is a general council that handles local affairs and the relationship with the republic.