French Guiana by Samuel Vigil

French Guiana – Fast Facts Capital: Cayenne Population:217,000 Flag: Largest City : Cayenne(61550) Official Language: French Size of land: 34,421 sq miles (89,150 sq km) Type of government: Democratic Republic of France Currency: Euro

Famous Landmarks Coat of Arms Lily flowers The Devil’s Island Coat of Arms: The Coat of arms of French Guiana shows a boat with oars carrying gold. The boat is positioned in an blue river with three silver Neuflar flowers. The heavily laden boat represents the richness that exists in the territory. The top of the Coat of Arms has an azure strip with three golden lillies surrounded by the number 1643. The number 1643 refers to the year that French Guiana was incorporated into France. Flower: Lily Motto: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Devil’s Island is a controversial location to visit while in French Guiana. It is the smallest and northernmost island of the three Iles du Salut located off the coast. It has an area of 34.6 acres and was used by France as a prison between 1852 and 1946. It was considered one of the most infamous prisons in history. Because of its location, other than boat, the only way to escape was through the harsh dense jungles, which very few managed to accomplish. Many of the buildings are still there to remind you of how harsh the conditions of the prison were. French Guiana has several carnivals to enjoy while visiting there. King Carnival starts after Epiphany and goes on until Ash Wednesday. And like many other cities with a heavy French influence, they have a large Mardi Gras celebration, with the towns almost all painted red for the parade of red devils. Lily flowers The Devil’s Island

5 interesing facts in French guiana history Occupied by the French since 1605, French Guiana was known as the French penal place until 1951. 1. 2. The site of the European Space Agency that launches its satellites from Kourou. 3. Natural hazards: Heavy showers and dramatic storms; occasional floods 4. Executive branch: Head of State: French President represented by Prefect Head of government: President of the General Council 5. The largest exports are cereals, sugar cane, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; meats.

National Holiday New Year’s Day January 1st Mardi Gras March 8th Mi Careme April 4th Labour Day May 1st VE Day May 8th Abolition of Slavery June 10th Whit Monday June 13th Bastille Day July 14th Cayenne Festival October 15th Remembrance Day November 11th

Floating lodge of the marsh Landforms Penal colony Devils island Dreyfus tower in Kuru located about 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) off the coast of French Guiana (South America). It has an area of 14 ha (34.6 acres). It was a small part of the notorious French penal colony in French Guiana until 1952. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean. A narrow coastal strip fronts the Atlantic Ocean coastline of French Guiana; to the south, the land is literally an unsettled wilderness, covered by a dense jungle and parts of the Amazon rain forest, and dissected by dozens and dozens of rivers. Offshore islands include Iles du Salut (and Devil's Island).  Approuaque river Space center of Kuru Floating lodge of the marsh

Religions Christianity in French Guiana Roman Catholic Church in French Guiana Cayenne Cathedral Cathedrals in France Former cathedrals in France

3 famous people Florent Malouda, French international football player Alfred Dreyfus Henri Charrière, an escaped French convict

Climate It rains the most April to June It’s warm Aug. to Nov. May is high on humidity

Industry/Agriculture products: rice, manioc , sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry

Quiz 1.What is the capital of French Guiana? 2.When is VE day? 3.Who is an escaped French convict 4.Who is the French international football player? 5.When is it warm in Cayenne? 6.What rains the most in Cayenne? 7.What is high on humidity? 8.When is Labour day? 9.When is Mardi Gras? 10.What are the 9 products in the industry/agriculture?