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. The country is part of Caribbean South America and borders the North Atlantic Ocean.

Statistics

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).

Land use

Arable land: 0%
Other: 10% (1996 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 km² (1993 est.)
Geography - note: mostly an unsettled wilderness.

Natural resources

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

Köppen climate classification map of French Guiana.

Climate

French Guiana's climate is tropical and hot with a Köppen climate classification of tropical rainforest (Af) throughout most of the country. Heavy showers, severe thunderstorms, and floodings are frequent, as is intense heat and humidity.

Terrain

French Guiana comprises low-lying coastal plains, rising to hills and small mountains in the south. 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

See also

• Geography of Suriname
• Guiana Shield

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.