Part of the Guiana region, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the north, Suriname on the west, and Brazil on the south and east.
Cayenne is the capital and largest city.
The Maroni River on the west forms the border with Suriname . French Guiana is largely dependent on subsidies and imports from its mother country. Fishing and forestry are the prime industries, and timber, shrimp, and rum made from local sugarcane are the chief exports. Rice, corn, manioc, and bananas are grown for subsistence. The population is largely of mixed African and European descent, but there are also minorities of whites, indigenous peoples, Chinese, and Asian Indians.