• Île Royale, once administrative headquarters of Îles du Salut penal settlement

    Île Royale, once administrative headquarters of Îles du Salut penal settlement

    © Wayne Walton

  • Prison in paradise: Île du Diable, where political prisoners were once held

    Prison in paradise: Île du Diable, where political prisoners were once held

    © Wayne Walton

  • Ruins of prison on Île Royale: not exactly maximum security these days

    Ruins of prison on Île Royale: not exactly maximum security these days

    © Wayne Walton

French Guiana: Overview

French Guiana is a country of pristine rainforests that has both the luck and misfortune of being colonized by France. It's the wealthiest region of this South American corner, meaning that everyone from Brazil to Suriname tries to cross its borders in the hope of high-paying jobs and decent unemployment benefits.

FAST FACTS

Full name

Guyane Française/French Guiana

Currency

Euro, EUR (€)

Population

182400

Languages

  • French (official)

Time zone(s)

  • GMT/UTC: -3

Voltage

220/127V

Hertz

50Hz

Plugs

  • European plug with two circular metal pins

    European plug with two circular metal pins

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