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Travel Information on French Guiana
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French Guiana (GF)
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| Continent: |
South America |
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| Area: |
86,504 km² |
| Population: |
195,506 |
| Capital city: |
Cayenne |
ISO code: |
GF |
| National language: |
French |
International dialling code: |
+594 |
| Currency: |
Euro |
Licence plate number: |
GUY |
| Flight routes from French Guiana: |
103 |
Flight routes to French Guiana: |
91 |
| Popular airports: |
Cayenne (CAY),
Maripasoula (MPY),
Saul (XAU)
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| Large cities: |
Cayenne,
Matoury,
Saint-Laurent du Maroni,
Kourou,
Montjoly,
Macouria,
Mana,
Apatou,
Grand-Santi,
Sinnamary,
Saint-Georges,
Roura,
Iracoubo,
Camopi,
Buja-le-Haut
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| Airlines based in French Guiana: |
Air Guyane Express
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Travelguide French Guiana (South America)
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French Guiana is a French overseas department in the north of the South American continent between Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean.
Geography: characteristic of the topography of the country is the flat mangrove swamp belt in the coastal area. This rises towards the interior to form higher plains, which is where almost the entire population of this South American country lives. The rainforest begins immediately behind these plains. The rainforest of French Guiana covers about 90 % of the country’s area and due to the fact that the country belongs to the European Union, is the largest forest in Europe. This intact rainforest rises slowly towards the south and merges with the Guiana highlands that cover the whole of the north east of the South American continent.
Mountains and rivers: the highest point in the country is the 851 m (2,791 ft) high Mount Bellevue de L’Inini in the southern highland near the border to Brazil. The longest river is the Fleuve Marouini measuring 726 km (451 miles) on the border to Suriname. It has its source in the French Guyanese Tumuk-Humak Mountains and eventually flows into a delta on the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate and best time to visit: due to its vicinity to the equator, the climate in French Guiana is tropical and muggy throughout the year with an average air humidity of 80 %. The highest daytime temperature seldom falls below 28° C. This physically exhausting climate is best endured in the coastal regions, as the northeast Passat winds from the sea here at least provide some respite from the sultry air. There is a heavy rainy season between January and June, but even during the „dry season” between July and December regular rain showers can be expected. The best time to travel in French Guiana is between the end of June and the beginning of December as there are frequent landslides during the rainy season in the interior of the country. In contrast to its Caribbean and Latin American neighbours, French Guiana is not afflicted by dangerous and recurrent hurricanes.
Language and communication: the official language is French, but the local inhabitants tend to speak Creole. English is normally understood in larger towns.
Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. There is a countrywide occurrence of malaria in French Guiana especially in the regions bordering on Brazil and Surinam. Please seek advice from your GP on effective anti malaria medication. Medical care is not of a sufficient standard outside Cayenne. Visitors are advised to take out a comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. Medical care is possible with the European health insurance card (EHIC) but repatriation costs are no longer covered in case of serious injury or illness. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eaten.
Entry requirements: as French Guiana is an Overseas Département of France, British Citizens or British Subjects with Right of Abode in the UK do not require a visa to enter French Guiana. Other British passport holders should consult the French Diplomatic mission for information on entry requirements. Passports must be valid at least for the entire period of the intended stay. Some countries ask for documentary evidence of parental responsibility before permitting single parents to enter or leave the country: further information may be obtained from the French Embassy in London. More information on vaccination and entry requirements as well as current security issues is posted on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website.
Arrival and onward journey: non-stop flights to the capital Cayenne (CAY) are currently only provided by Air France (AF) from Paris (ORY). Inland flights to Maripasoula (MPY), Saul (XAU) and St.Georges (OYP) are operated by the national carrier, Air Guyane Express (3S)
Capital city: the capital Cayenne is on the estuary of the Rio Cayenne on the Atlantic Ocean and has about 70,000 inhabitants. Cayenne is situated in a wonderful tropical landscape, possesses a multi-ethnic flair and, due to the picturesque French colonial architecture reminiscent of New Orleans, is of the most beautiful of South American cities. Worth seeing in the relatively small city centre is the Place de Palmistes: a square with plenty of small cafes and snack bars. The botanic garden, on an area of 48 hectares, is also worth a visit. Cayenne has some nice beaches that are suitable for swimming, especially the beaches and coves near the city, the most attractive of these being the beach Montjoly.
Places of interest: French Guiana’s greatest attraction, in particular for nature lovers, is the rainforest that dominates more or less the whole of the country. In comparison with other Latin American countries, the rainforest in French Guiana is still completely intact meaning that many distant isolated regions may only be accessed by boat. During a boat tour through the dense jungle of the Amazon, tourists may see monkeys, caiman, and tapirs and see the historical rock drawings of the indigenous peoples. There also exists the possibility of visiting some Indio villages of the Haut Maroni and Haut Oiapoque in the south west of the country after obtaining permission from the town hall in Cayenne. The space station in Kourou is also interesting as it stands in stark contrast to the surrounding nature and the rest of the country. Those interested can view the space transport museum and take part in the interesting guided tours provided by the centre.
Religion: the majority of the population is Roman Catholic; there is also a small minority of Jews as well as believers of the natural religions.
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Favourite Flights and Cheap Flights from and to French Guiana / GF
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