What is French Guiana?

French Guiana is an overseas territorial collectivity of France on the northeastern coast of South America. Cayenne is its capital. Bordered by Brazil to the south and east, and Suriname to the west, French Guiana also has a developing market economy patterned after France, which sustains it through aid and technical assistance. The European Space Agency's rocket-launching base in Kourou boosts the economy, accounting for about a quarter of the country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP). Services, manufacturing, and construction are the largest sectors of the economy. In December 2015, French Guiana became a territorial collectivity. The population density in 2025 was 9.3 people per square mile.

Where is French Guiana located?

French Guiana, a territorial collectivity of France, is on the northeastern coast of South America. It is bordered to the south and east by Brazil, to the west by Suriname, and to the northeast by the Atlantic Ocean. Cayenne is its capital. The Maroni River marks its border with Suriname to the west, while the Oyapock River defines its border with Brazil to the east.

How is French Guiana connected to France?

French Guiana is an overseas territorial collectivity of France, making it an integral part of the French Republic. As such, French Guiana is governed by the French constitution. Its economy is patterned on that of France and is sustained by aid and technical assistance from France. The social-security system of France is also used in French Guiana. French Guiana sends elected representatives to the French National Assembly and Senate. Local government is headed by both a prefect and an Assembly, the former appointed by France and the latter elected by universal adult suffrage. In December 2015, French Guiana's political status changed from overseas département to territorial collectivity.

What languages are spoken in French Guiana?

The official and national language of French Guiana is French. However, French Guiana's population includes minorities of Haitians, Surinamese, Antilleans, Chinese, Brazilians, South Asians, and others. Because of this diverse population, other languages spoken in French Guiana include Guianese Creole French, several indigenous languages (such as Wayampi, Carib, and Emerillon), and the languages of the immigrant communities. The cultural life in French Guiana reflects the diverse backgrounds of the resident ethnic communities.

What are some important features of French Guiana’s culture and population?

French Guiana's culture is a vibrant mix of its diverse ethnic communities. A distinct Creole culture dominates urban areas, featuring colorful costumes and dances influenced by African, East Indian, and 18th-century French traditions. The pre-Lenten Carnival is a major event with costume design, music, and dance competitions. The population is mainly Creole, with minorities of French, Haitians, Surinamese, Antilleans, Chinese, Brazilians, and South Asians. The population density in 2025 was 9.3 people per square mile. The main languages are French, Guianese Creole French, and indigenous languages. While there is no official religion, Christianity is the principal religious affiliation.

How is French Guiana’s government organized as a territorial collectivity of France?

As a territorial collectivity of France, French Guiana is governed by the French constitution and forms an integral part of the French Republic. It elects representatives to the French National Assembly and Senate. Local government is managed by a prefect and a 51-member Assembly elected through universal adult suffrage. The primary political parties include the Guianese Socialist Party and the Union for a Popular Movement. In a referendum in January 2010, voters approved the changeover from an overseas department to a territorial collectivity, which was finalized in December 2015. A single local president now governs alongside the French-appointed prefect.

French Guiana

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

Map of northern South America highlighting French Guiana in orange, with neighboring countries Brazil and Suriname labeled, and the capital city Cayenne marked. Surrounding countries including Venezuela, Guyana, and Colombia are also shown, along with the nearby Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

The Oyapock River Bridge, a cable-stayed structure, spans the Oyapock River with lush green forest on the riverbank beneath a partly cloudy sky.

French Guiana: Major export destinations

At a Glance

French Guiana summary

French Guiana

territorial collectivity, France

Also known as: Département d’Outre-Mer de la Guyane française, Guyane, Overseas Department of French Guiana(Show More)

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 29, 2026 •History

News •

Europe launches two Earth-observation satellites amidst a busy week for China • Sep. 14, 2026, 4:16 PM ET (Astronomy Magazine)

French Guiana, overseas territorial collectivity of France, situated on the northeastern coast of South America. French Guiana is bounded by Brazil to the south and east, Suriname to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast. The capital is Cayenne.

Land

Geologically, the rock underlying French Guiana forms part of the crystalline massif of the Guiana Highlands. Rivers—which flow generally northeastward, to the sea—have greatly eroded the massif, and most of French Guiana is low-lying. The Maroni River forms the French Guiana–Suriname border in the west, and the Oyapock River forms the border with Brazil in the east. The Tumuc-Humac Mountains in the south reach an elevation of 2,300 feet (700 metres). Recent alluvial deposits have formed a swampy coastal plain southeast of Cayenne. Older alluvial deposits form a savanna west of Cayenne. Dense tropical forests (mostly hardwoods) predominate outside the coastal plain and cover more than nine-tenths of the land area.

Quick Facts

Flag of French Guiana

Heads Of Government:: Prefect (for France): Antoine Poussier; President (for French Guiana): Gabriel Serville

Capital:: Cayenne

Population:: (2026 est.) 293,200

Head Of State:: President of France: Emmanuel Macron

Official Language:: French

French Guiana is subject to heavy rainfall between December and July; annual precipitation reaches 150 inches (3,800 mm) around Cayenne and tapers off toward the northeast. High temperatures predominate, and monthly averages vary between 77 and 80 °F (25 and 27 °C) at Cayenne. Wildlife includes tapirs, caimans, ocelots, sloths, great anteaters, and armadillos.

People

French Guiana’s population is principally Creole (mixed descent, also referred to as Guianese Mulatto), with minorities of metropolitan French, Haitians, Surinamese, Antilleans, Chinese, Brazilians, South Asians, and others. The principal languages spoken are French (official); Guianese Creole French; several indigenous languages, including Wayampi, Carib, and Emerillon; and the various languages of the immigrant communities. The principal religious affiliation is Christianity (primarily Roman Catholicism), adhered to by more than four-fifths of the population.

The populace is concentrated principally in and around Cayenne, the largest city, and the coastal regions; the interior is largely uninhabited. Demographic rates are those generally typical of a developing country. There was immigration from Southeast Asia, Haiti, and the French Caribbean territories beginning in the late 20th century.

Economy

French Guiana has a developing market economy, patterned on that of metropolitan France and sustained by aid and technical assistance from France. A rocket-launching base at Kourou, used by the European Space Agency, is of great importance to the economy, accounting for about one-fourth of the country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP). Services, manufacturing, and construction are the largest sectors of the economy. The gross national income (GNI) per capita is among the highest in South America.

Agriculture produces only a small part of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates and centres on the growing of cassava, rice, bananas, and cabbages. Most small farms are worked and owned by families, but there are some large estates engaged in growing cash crops, largely for export to metropolitan France.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

The heavily forested land includes valuable commercial species. Some forestland is reserved by the state, but most is open to exploitation. Most of the timber cut is used for industrial purposes, and of that about two-fifths is exported. Pastures support mainly cattle, pigs, and poultry. Meat and milk production is limited, and large quantities of both must be imported. Shrimps account for a large portion of the annual fish catch.

Mineral exploitation is of negligible importance, and French Guiana must import fossil fuels and metallic minerals. Gold and clays are the only minerals extracted.

Manufacturing industries are concentrated on cement, rum, and finished wood products. Most capital and consumer goods must be imported. Electricity is generated entirely from thermal plants using imported fossil fuels.

Most of the labour force is employed in services and industry, with a small fraction in agriculture. Wages and benefits are legislated at the same rates as those that prevail in France. Unemployment and inflation rates are high.

Although about two-fifths of the country’s roads are paved, the road system is underdeveloped in the interior. Dégrad des Cannes, Larivot, Saint-Laurent du Moroni, and Kourou are principal ports. Some of the country’s waterways are navigable by small oceangoing craft, but most are navigable only by shallow-draft vessels. There is an international airport at Cayenne.

The balance of trade is chronically unfavourable, with the value of exports far outweighed by that of imports. Machinery, food and agricultural products, and refined petroleum dominate imports, whereas motor vehicles and their parts, gold, electrical machinery and electronics, fish, and shrimps are the leading exports. Major trading partners are France, the other countries of the European Union, and the French Antilles (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin).