GUIANA FRANCESA | GEOGRAFIA E HISTÓRIA

Summary

In this video, the host explores French Guiana, an overseas territory of France in South America. Despite its proximity to Brazil, it remains largely unknown. The video covers the region's geography, historical context, and its current status as a French territory, highlighting its unique culture, economy, and challenges. From the history of colonization, the infamous Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands), including Devil's Island, to the modern-day space center in Kourou, the video provides a deep dive into the region's significance, showcasing its diverse population, economic connections with France, and the complexities of immigration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The French Guiana is not an independent country but an overseas territory of France, making it the largest and oldest of France's overseas territories.
• 😀 Located in the northern part of South America, French Guiana borders Brazil, Suriname, and the Atlantic Ocean. Its size is about 83,534 km², which is slightly smaller than the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.
• 😀 Despite being in South America, French Guiana is part of the European Union and is the largest EU region outside Europe.
• 😀 The territory is covered by dense tropical rainforest, with most of the land being flat and home to many rivers. Its climate is hot and humid with an annual temperature of around 27°C.
• 😀 The term 'Guiana' comes from the indigenous Arawak language and means 'land of many waters' due to the numerous rivers in the region.
• 😀 The region of the Guianas consists of three territories: Guyana (formerly British), Suriname (formerly Dutch), and French Guiana, which is the only one still controlled by a European power.
• 😀 French Guiana has a diverse ethnic population, with a mix of descendants from indigenous peoples, Africans, Asians, and Europeans. The population is around 295,000.
• 😀 The capital of French Guiana is Cayenne, known for its Creole architecture, beautiful beaches, and the famous Cayenne Carnival, one of the longest in the world.
• 😀 The main economic activities of French Guiana include the export of wood, fish, and minerals, including gold and bauxite, and the operation of the Guiana Space Center, which is a major European spaceport.
• 😀 French Guiana faces issues like illegal immigration, especially from illegal gold miners, and struggles with infrastructure and a higher cost of living compared to mainland France.
• 😀 The Oiapoque River forms part of the border between Brazil and French Guiana, with the Binational Franco-Brazilian Bridge connecting the two countries. The bridge was completed in 2012 and inaugurated in 2017, marking a unique connection between the EU and Mercosur.

Q & A

What is the Guiana Française and how does it differ from a country?

The Guiana Française is not considered a country, but rather a French overseas territory. It is the largest and oldest of France's overseas territories, located in South America, and it is governed by French laws. Unlike independent nations, it is a part of France and is represented in the French Senate.

What are the neighboring countries and geographic features of the Guiana Française?

The Guiana Française borders Brazil to the south and east, Suriname to the west, and is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to the north. The region features a flat terrain with dense tropical forests, rivers, and a tropical climate with high temperatures and abundant rainfall.

What is the significance of the name 'Guiana'?

The name 'Guiana' comes from the indigenous Arawak language, meaning 'land of many waters,' which is a reflection of the numerous rivers in the region.

How is the Guiana Française different from other South American territories?

The Guiana Française is unique because it is the only South American territory that remains under European control. While other regions of South America were colonized by Spain and Portugal, Guiana Française was colonized by France, and it remains an overseas department of France.

What was the historical role of Guiana Française as a penal colony?

Guiana Française served as a French penal colony from the 19th century, notably with the infamous Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands), including Devil’s Island. It housed political prisoners and criminals, and between 1852 and 1939, over 70,000 prisoners were sent there, with a high mortality rate due to harsh conditions.

What is the current administrative status of the Guiana Française?

Since 1946, Guiana Française has been an official overseas department of France, governed by French laws. Its head of government is the French Prime Minister, and the head of state is the French President. It also elects two senators to the French Senate.

What are the main ethnic and linguistic characteristics of Guiana Française's population?

Guiana Française has a diverse population with a mixture of ethnic groups, including people of African, Asian, and indigenous descent. While French is the official language, the most widely spoken language is French Guianese Creole. Catholicism is the predominant religion.

What are the key economic activities in Guiana Française?

The economy of Guiana Française is heavily tied to France through subsidies and imports. Major economic activities include the extraction of minerals, such as gold and bauxite, fishing, and timber. Additionally, the European Space Agency operates its main spaceport in Kourou, which is a significant economic contributor.

How does the geography of Guiana Française impact its infrastructure and daily life?

The geography of Guiana Française, characterized by dense rainforests and numerous rivers, makes it challenging to develop infrastructure. The region has problems with inadequate infrastructure, high living costs, and high crime rates. However, the presence of the spaceport in Kourou is a significant technological and economic asset.

What is the significance of the Oiapoque Bridge?

The Oiapoque Bridge connects Brazil and Guiana Française, linking the countries' road systems. It is 378 meters long and represents a bridge between the European Union and Mercosur. The bridge enhances accessibility to Guiana Française, although it doesn't connect directly to the rest of Brazil due to the lack of road infrastructure in Amapá.