In the eastern part of South America is the overseas department (administrative-territorial unit) of France - Guiana. In our article, we will focus on this particular place. Previously, this territory, which now covers an area of 90 thousand km², was called "French Guiana".
The reason for this clarification was that once there were five colonies under the common name "Guiana": Spanish, British, Dutch, Portuguese and French. After a certain time, the Spanish colony became the east of Venezuela. Since 1966, British Guiana has been transformed into an independent state of Guyana.
The Netherlands is now officially called the Republic of Suriname. And Portuguese today is the north of Brazil.
Geographic location of the country
French Guiana is located in such a way that it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the north. And its mainland is located between Brazil and Suriname.
History
The first Europeans who landed on the territory of the future overseas department of the French Republic were Spanishnavigators in 1499. After 105 years, French settlers began to settle in it. In 1635, a fortification was founded, around which an administrative center was formed - the city of Cayenne.
Starting from the 17th century and for the next hundred years, Guiana was ruled by Great Britain and the Netherlands. At the beginning of the 19th century (1817), France officially secured this territory.
As a result of the unfavorable tropical climate, there were few people willing to move to South America. Therefore, France began to massively import black slaves from the African continent.
During the years of the French Revolution and in subsequent years, a struggle began on the territory of Guiana to abolish the working and living conditions of slaves as for the main part of the population. According to the documents, such work was officially abolished in the department in 1848. From the end of the 18th century until the end of hostilities in World War II, the French government used Guiana as a place of forced hard labor for state political criminals. Since 1946, Guiana has become an overseas department of France.
Cayenne is the capital
What is the name of the capital of French Guiana? Why is she interesting? More on this later in the article. The city of Cayenne, which is over 350 years old, is considered the capital of French Guiana. About 50 thousand people of the indigenous population (mostly blacks and mulattoes) live there.
The settlement is located on a small peninsula between the Cayenne River (a river 50 km long) andthe main body of water is Makhuri, more than 170 km long.
The main attractions are located on the territory of the main city of the French department. Place de Grenoble, which is located in the western part of the capital, is very popular with tourists in Guiana. The peculiarity of this area of the city is that it contains the main attractions of the city.
Lusso Canal
In the central part of the city of Cayenne, not far from the fish market, is the Lusso Canal, the city's main waterway.
Construction began in 1777. Guiana prisoners dug it by hand for four years.
Now the canal, designed by the architect Sirdey, is a favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of the city.
Museum of the Departmental Franconi
On the banks of the Lusso Canal, tourists pay attention to the house where the family of the philanthropist (a person involved in charity) Alexander Franconi lived.
Now the building houses the Museum of the Departmental Franconi. It was founded in 1901. Tourists can view expositions related to the history of the department, household items of past centuries and other diverse museum expositions.
Plaza de Palmistes
The main square of the capital and the pride of the indigenous people is de Palmistes. It got its name due to the large number of palm trees planted throughout its territory. Previously, this place was a pasture for livestock.
In the middle of XIXcenturies, by decision of the city leadership, palm trees were planted around the entire perimeter of the future city square. At the same time, the construction of urban infrastructure buildings began. In 1957, a majestic arch was erected. It was built in honor of the first governor of Cayenne, Felix Eboue.
Now tourists can visit a variety of cafes and restaurants surrounded by 25-meter palm trees and taste national cuisine.
Guianan Culture Museum
On Madame Paye Street, in 1998, a museum of Guianan culture was opened, where guests of the city can see expositions related to the culture of different ethnic groups that once inhabited the territory of Guiana. Visitors are given the opportunity to see household items of those times, national costumes and various exhibits related to religious rites. The museum has a garden. There you can see all kinds of medicinal plants that grow in South America.
Cayenne Beach Areas
In addition to visiting the main attractions, tourists can pay attention to a beach holiday on the Atlantic coast.
In the village of Remy-Montjoly (10 km from Cayenne) is, according to the guests of the city, the most beautiful area. Here, in addition to active recreation among palm trees, you can see the ruins of a small fort of the XVIII century and an old cane sugar factory.
Hates Beach is located on the Marconi River (Avala-Yalimapo commune). Tourists from many countries of the world tend to visit this zone. Hates became popularthanks to leatherback turtles living in this area, having a length of more than two meters and a weight of 400 kg. They are considered the largest of all living sea turtles. Vacationers can swim in the clear river water. They also have the opportunity to swim with these peaceful turtles that appeared on the planet 200 million years ago.
Guiana Space Center
At a distance of 50 km from Cayenne between the cities of Sinnamari and Kourou is a landmark of the late XX century. It is officially called the Guiana Space Center.
In 1964, the government was given fourteen designs for the location of the spaceport. Then it was decided to start construction near the city of Kourou (French Guiana).
This is due to the fact that this area is located at a distance of 500 km from the conditional line of the section of the earth's surface by a plane passing through the center of the Earth (equator).
Therefore, this territory is beneficial for launching satellites into orbit and launch vehicles. At the same time, they develop additional speed, making it easier for them to push off the Earth.
Thus, in French Guiana, the spaceport, built in 1968, has become one of the most versatile centers. It invites all space centers of other countries of the world to cooperate.
In 1975, the International Space Agency (ESA) was formed. Then the government suggested using the launch pads of the Guiana Spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana. Nowthe main sites used for launching spacecraft are the property of ESA.
Since 2007, in collaboration with Russian specialists, the construction of a launch pad for Soyuz-2 rockets has begun on the territory of the cosmodrome, which occupies an area of 20x60 km. The first launch of the Russian apparatus took place in October 2011. In 2017, Russia launched the Soyuz ST-A carrier rocket with the SES-15 spacecraft from the Guiana Cosmodrome.
The sparsely populated territory of Guiana (over 90% of the territory is covered with forests), the absence of hurricanes and earthquakes are an important factor in launch safety.
Flag of Guiana
The overseas department of Guiana belongs to the French Republic. Therefore, the flag of France is officially used as the state symbol of the country.
In some cases, another one is used. This flag of French Guiana is approved by the legislature. It is a rectangular panel, where there is a five-pointed yellow star in blue and green areas located on two wavy lines.
Each color has its own specific symbolism. Blue symbolizes the emergence of modern technology in the territory of the department. Green symbolizes the vegetation and richness of the region's forests, while yellow symbolizes valuable minerals and natural gold reserves. Two wavy lines are a symbol of a large number of rivers.
Interesting facts
Now consider somefacts about this overseas department:
- The territory of French Guiana has many minerals. But only gold, tantalum and bauxite are mined here.
- French Guiana is the only non-European territory that is part of the European Union.
- The main crop is rice, from which rum and rice essence are made.
- French Guiana is officially a department of France. But, despite this, here the Schengen visa is an invalid document. A tourist from Russia needs to get a separate one. For a visa to French Guiana, you should contact the consulate.
- When entering the territory of Guiana, you must present a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever at customs.
Conclusion
Tourists traveling around French Guiana note that this territory is amazing in its beauty and originality. And the goodwill and sincerity of the people make you want to come back here again.
