French Guiana

Overview

French Guiana's capital, Cayenne has the majority of cultural attractions in the country whether it is the Botanical Gardens, Musée Départmental or Fort Cépéron there will be something to further educate the visitor. Those who do not object to rough travel can explore the interior by foot and river and possibly stay in a tribal village. Mount Favard, Ile Royale, Ile Saint Joseph and Ile Saint-Laurent du Maroni Transportation Camp are other sites that could occupy the visitor. However it is the change of the Kourou Devil's Island penal colony to the French Space Center that will probably be rather more surprising.

History

First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou.