Geography of French Guiana

Geographic map of French Guiana

French Guiana is an overseas region of France, located on the northern coast of South America between Suriname and Brazil. See also the article on the geography of Suriname.

Location

Northern South America and part of Caribbean South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname.

Geographic coordinates

4°00′N 53°00′W / 4.000°N 53.000°W / 4.000; -53.000

Map references

South America.

Area

Total: 91,000 km².
Land: 89,150 km².
Water: 1,850 km².

Land boundaries

Total: 1,183 km.
Border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km (disputed).
Coastline: 378 km.

Maritime claims

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi).

Climate

Tropical; hot.

Terrain

Low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains, see Guiana Shield.

Extreme Points

• Northernmost point – Pointe Isère
• Southernmost point – Border with Brazil, Maripasoula
• Westernmost point –
• Easternmost point –
• Highest point – Bellevue de l'Inini: 851 m
• Lowest point – Atlantic Ocean: 0 m

Natural resources

Bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish, [shrimp], rice, bananas.

Land use

Arable land: 0%.
Permanent crops: 0%.
Permanent pastures: 0%.
Forests and woodland: 0%.
Other: 10% (1996 est.).
Irrigated land: 20 km² (1993 est.).
Natural hazards: high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding.
Environment - current issues: NA.
Geography - note: mostly an unsettled wilderness.