|Description : The political map of French Guiana shows the major cities and areas of the country.||Disclaimer|
More French Guiana Maps
|Facts about French Guiana|
|Area||32,253 Sq mi (83,534 Sq Km)|
|Population||236,250 (2011 Est.)|
|Population Density||7.3/sq mi (2.8/ sq km)|
|President||Rodolphe Alexandre (UMP, region), Alain Tien-Liong (MDES, department)|
|GDP (Nominal)||€ 3.2 billion (2008 Est.)|
|GDP (PPP)||€ 14,204 (2008 Est.)|
Bordered by Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west, French Guiana is an overseas region of France. The region covers a total area of 32,253 square miles. As per the 2009 estimate, the region is home to 217,000 people.
French Guiana as a separate region was settled by the Spanish, Dutch, and French forces. In 1667, according to the Treaty of Breda, the region passed into the hands of France. The land was attacked by the Portuguese forces in 1809 but the French recaptured it soon in 1814 with the signing of the treaty of Paris.
Since then, movements have been organized by the indigenous French Guianians for increased autonomy but to no avail. Moreover, not more than five percent want independence from France because of the benefits the region avails from the former.
The region is granted many subsidies by the French government.
French Guiana is part of the European Union. As it is part of France, the French president is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The local government of the the region is represented by a prefect who is appointed by the President of France.
The economy of French Guiana relies heavily on France for subsidies, trade, and goods. Fishing, gold mining, and timber are the major industries. Tourism is an increasingly growing area in the region. The major tourist destinations in the area include Cayenne, Kourou, Saint-Laurent, and Saint Georges.