French Guiana

French Guiana is an overseas territorial collectivity of France on the northeastern coast of South America.

French Guiana is an overseas territorial collectivity of France on the northeastern coast of South America. Its capital is Cayenne, and it borders Brazil, Suriname, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of France and the European Union while remaining geographically in South America.

Geography

French Guiana lies on the Atlantic coast of South America and is bordered by Brazil to the south and east and Suriname to the west. The territory covers an area of 83,846 km² and is largely covered by tropical rainforest.

Political status

French Guiana is an overseas territorial collectivity of France, meaning it is not an independent country but an integral part of the French state. It uses French institutions and laws and is represented in the French Parliament.

Population and language

The estimated population of French Guiana is about 298,554 as of January 2026. French is the official language, and Creole languages are also widely spoken. The population includes Indigenous and immigrant communities.

Economy and infrastructure

French Guiana’s economy is centred on public administration, services, and activities related to the Guiana Space Centre near Kourou. The spaceport is one of the territory’s most prominent facilities. The official currency is the euro.

History

French settlement began in the 17th century, and the territory changed hands several times before becoming permanently French again in the 19th century. It became a French overseas department in 1946 and later an overseas collectivity.