Travel to Guyanas - Technical travel information PRESENTATION French Guiana In the mid-19th century, the French government set out to reduce prison costs at home by sloughing off undesirables by way of their colonies. Searching for their most forsaken frontier outpost to drop the luckless cons, they came up with Guiana. Though its last penal colony closed in 1953, this tropical pocket of ooh-la-la now takes prisoners of another variety. Budget travelers beware: French Guiana is among South America's costliest destinations. Modern French Guiana is a land of idiosyncrasies, where European Space Agency satellite launches rattle the market gardens of displaced Hmong farmers from Laos and thinly populated rainforests swallow nearly all but the country's coastline. Highly subsidized by Mother France, it boasts the highest standard of living of any 'country' in South America, but look beyond the capital city and you'll still find backwoods settlements of Maroons and Amerindians barely eking out a living. Traveling in French Guiana isn't easy, but it is part of the adventure.

And if you have Francophile leanings, live in the Americas and enjoy roughing it in the rainforest, it's one place where you can have your canapé under the canopy without crossing the pond to Charles de Gaulle. Suriname Suriname is an unusual cultural enclave with an extraordinary ethnic variety deriving from Dutch colonization, the early importation of African slaves and, later, indentured laborers from India and Indonesia. Warning: Following protests in Paramaribo in July 1999, the US State Department advised US citizens to be wary of future demonstrations, although no significant protests were reported in the year 2000. Petty lawlessness, as well as more serious and violent crime, is on the rise in Paramaribo, Albina and Moengo, and increasingly deeper in the country's interior, perhaps due to the government-sanctioned February 2001 release of nearly 100 prison inmates to relieve overcrowding in the country's main incarceration facility, Santo Boma, in Paramaribo. Guyana Dutch and British colonization made an indelible mark on Guyana, leaving behind a now dilapidated colonial capital, a volatile mix of peoples and a curious political geography.

The country's natural attractions, however, are impressive, unspoiled and on a scale that dwarfs human endeavor. Guyana has immense falls, vast tropical rainforest and savanna teeming with wildlife. If the government doesn't destroy the environment in a bid to pay off its huge foreign debt, Guyana could be the eco-tourism destination of the future. Right now, it's the place for independent, rugged, Indiana Jones types who don't mind visiting a country that everybody else thinks is in Africa. Warning: Street crime and physical violence are common in Guyana, particularly in Georgetown. Visitors should avoid walking after dark, maintain alertness at all times and keep out of Georgetown's Tiger Bay area. Protests and general uproarious uprisings have been popping up all over the country (particularly in Georgetown) in anticipation of the March 19, 2001 elections. FACTS Weights & measures: Metric When to Go French Guiana is a tropical country with a serious rainy season. While the July to December 'dry' period may be the most comfortable time to go, Carnaval - usually held in late February - is French Guiana's greatest cultural attraction.

August to November is the best time for jaunts into the jungle. The leatherback turtles come out near Mana between April and September. Suriname Visas: Virtually all visitors require a visa. There are Surninamese embassies in the Netherlands, Germany and the US. Visitors from other countries can obtain visas on arrival Health risks: Malaria, rabies, typhoid, dengue fever, cholera Time: GMT/UTC minus 3 hours Weights & measures: Officially metric but, in practice, imperial measurements are used. When to Go Suriname's dry seasons, from early February to late April and from mid-August to early December, are the best times for a visit. From March to July, several species of sea turtles come ashore to nest at Wia Wia and Galibi reserves.

Guyana Visas: Visitors from most countries, except the Commonwealth Caribbean, require a visa Health risks: Malaria is endemic in the interior; some risk of cholera, dengue fever and typhoid Time: GMT/UTC minus 4 hours Electricity: 100V (Georgetown), 220V (most other places) Weights & measures: Officially metric (although imperial measures are still widely used) When to Go The best time to visit Guyana may be at the end of either rainy season, in late January or late August, when the discharge of water over Kaieteur Falls is greatest. Some locals recommend mid-October to mid-May, which may be wet, but not as hot. If you want to travel overland to the interior, come during the dry seasons. LAND & CLIMATE Geography of French Guinea Perched on the northeast coast of South America, French Guiana is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east and south by Brazil, and on the west by Suriname. Unlike its neighbors, French Guiana is not an independent nation, but has been an overseas department of France since 19 March 1946.

French Guiana has three land regionsa marshy coastal area in the north, a broad central plateau, and the Serra de Tumucumaque in the south. Many rivers rise in the mountains and flow north to the Atlantic. The climate is tropical, with temperatures averaging about 27°C (81°F). About 3,200 millimeters (about 126 inches) of rain falls a year. Almost all of the residents of French Guiana are Creoles. Most of the people live in Cayenne, the capital and main port, and along the coast. Native Americans, descended from the aboriginal Arawak, Carib, and Tupí-Guaraní groups, live in the remote interior. Virtually untouched by Western civilization, they have preserved their traditional customs. French is the official language, but many Creoles also speak a mixture of French and English. Extensive forests cover more than four-fifths of the land surface of French Guiana and are rich in commercial timber. Less than 1 percent of the land is devoted to agriculture. Industrial establishments, such as sawmills, rum distilleries, and brick and dye works, tend to be small.

The European Space Agency (ESA) established a satellite launching facility at Kourou, which has helped the area’s economy considerably. The first French settlement was early in the 17th century. In 1852 the French started using French Guiana as a penal colony, sending political prisoners to Île du Diable. Notorious for its harsh conditions and for the cruel treatment its prisoners received, the penal colony was closed in 1946. Suriname Physical Features Suriname consists of a swampy coastal plain up to 80 kilometers (up to 50 miles) wide in some places; a central plateau region containing broad savannas, tracts of dunes, and forested areas; and a densely forested mountainous region in the south that remains mostly untouched. Major Rivers and Lakes Suriname’s many rivers, most of which flow north to the Atlantic, include the Maroni, which delineates part of the border with French Guiana, and the Courantyne, which forms the border with Guyana. Other important rivers are the Coppename, Saramacca, and Suriname rivers. A large lake, named Professor W. J. van Blommestein Meer, lies in northeast Suriname.

Weather and Climate In Suriname’s tropical climate, annual temperatures range from 23° to 32°C (from 73° to 90°F). More than 2,032 millimeters (more than 80 inches) of rain fall per year in coastal areas, diminishing to 1,524 millimeters (60 inches) inland. Rainfall is heaviest from December to April, when floods often occur. Environmental Issues Suriname has a small, moderately growing population concentrated along the coast. Beyond this narrow strip of human settlement, Suriname boasts vast forest resources and biodiversity. Nearly 94.4 percent (1995) of the country is forested, with wet tropical forest making up the majority. But deforestation is accelerating in the interior, as foreign companies acquire timber concessions. The most pressing environmental issue in Suriname is the proposed sale of vast tracts of virgin forestup to 40 percent of the nation’s landto logging companies from Southeast Asia. The government wants to use profits from forest resources to offset skyrocketing inflation and unemployment. Environmentalists, on the other hand, are encouraging ecotourism as an alternative industry and pushing for sustainable forest use.

Suriname has a relatively well-planned system of protected landcovering about 4.7 percent (1997) of the country’s areathat includes examples of most ecosystem types within the country. Lack of funding, however, limits the effective management of the system. The country participates in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, with one designated site, and the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, under which three sites have been recognized. Suriname also takes part in the FAO Tropical Forestry Action Plan, a program that promotes economic resource development in the context of conservation. Through the Amazon Cooperation Treaty, Suriname works with neighboring countries to encourage resource conservation. The country is party to international agreements on Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, and Whaling. Guyana Physical Features Guyana is made up of three major geographical regions. A belt of alluvial soil, varying in width from about 8 to 65 kilometers (about 5 to 40 miles), extends along the low-lying coast, protected by a system of dams and dikes. Dense forest, concentrated in the south, covers most of the rest of the country.

The forests extend into an interior highland region with a maximum elevation of 2,810 meters (9,219 feet) atop Mount Roraima. Beyond the forest lies a region of savanna. Major Rivers and Lakes Guyana’s many rivers all flow north or east to the Atlantic. The Essequibo, with a wide estuary at its mouth, is the country’s longest river. Some rivers form spectacular waterfalls, notably the Potaro River’s Kaieteur Falls (226 meters/741 feet), one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in the world. Weather and Climate Guyana has a tropical climate, with little seasonal temperature change. Along the coast about 1,525 to 2,030 millimeters (about 60 to 80 inches) of rain falls, mainly from April to August and November to January. The savanna region receives about 1,525 millimeters (about 60 inches) of rain annually, mainly from April to September. Environmental Issues Guyana is a sparsely populated country with vast but fragile forests and mineral resources. Most of Guyana’s population lives along the coast in an area of intensive agriculture.

In this region there is considerable pollution. About 94.4 percent (1995) of the country is forested, mostly with tropical wet forest, although dry forests occur in the north. Deforestation is accelerating rapidly. Other threats to forests include brushfires, soil erosion, and overhunting or poaching of wildlife. Mangroves are a critical coastal habitat and resource, providing biodiversity, breeding areas for fish, and protection against erosion by the sea. Mangroves are seriously threatened and inadequately protected. Guyana has formulated a National Environmental Policy and a Forest Action Plan, which address major issues of resource use, pollution control, and protection of the environment and indigenous peoples. However, there are few effective environmental laws, and the existing ones are not well enforced. Resources for managing protected areas are scarce. The protected system is limited to one national park, although plans to greatly expand the system have been introduced. A major threat to potential protected land is the highway linking Brazil and the Guyana coast, and the government-approved logging concessions along its length. Foreign companies are vying for huge logging contracts in the interior. Mining interests, especially for gold and diamonds, conflict with conservation plans.

In 1995 a gold-mining operation spilled cyanide-treated wastewater into the 1,010-kilometer (630-mile) Essequibo, resulting in a serious health threat to humans and wildlife downstream. The Program for Sustainable Tropical Forestry in Guyana, funded by the World Bank and the United Nations (UN), seeks to establish a Global Environment Facility that would set up special protected forest areas and study sites with the aim of researching methods of sustainable use of tropical forests. Guyana works with neighboring countries through the Amazon Cooperation Treaty, which provides for conservation-oriented development strategies in the Amazon region. It is party to international treaties on Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer, Tropical Timber 83, and Whaling. LINKS DIRECTORY French Guiana – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Landscape[ edit ] Low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains, mostly an unsettled wilderness. It also consists of hill plateaus and the Tumuc-humac mountains. Get in[ edit ] Boarding platform at Cayenne Airport Concerning immigration, French Guiana has different laws.

French Guiana is not part of the Schengen territory and your passport or ID-card is checked upon arrival even if you're arriving from mainland or Caribbean France. The department is however covered by the directive for Freedom of Movement so EU-citizens have the right to stay indefinitely. For some neighboring countries (e.g. Brazil, Suriname) it is easier to go to Paris than it is to reach Cayenne. In addition, holding a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory regardless of citizenship or where you've recently been. Be prepared to show this certificate before boarding a plane to French Guiana or at the border if you are arriving overland. By plane[ edit ] Félix Eboué Airport ( IATA : CAY) just outside Cayenne is the only international airport and the main point of entry to the territory. Air France and Air Caraibes each have a daily flight from Paris , so it's relatively easy to get in from Europe. Air France and Air Guyane Express also has flight to two major French outposts in the Caribbean, namely Martinique and Guadeloupe and this is probably the best way to get in from North America and the Caribbean.

Suriname Airways connects to Paramaribo and Belém (in Brazil ) with connections to other parts of South America. In addition there are a couple of seasonal charter flights from Miami and various Brazilian cities. From other parts of the world, expect a complicated journey with three or four transfers. By boat[ edit ] From Brazil and Suriname, getting into French Guiana overland includes a 15 minute crossing by boat across Oyapoque (from Brazil) or Le Maroni (from Suriname). It's not very expensive, unless you want to take a car across, but you have to haggle . French Guiana's main seaport is the port of Dégrad des Cannes, located on the estuary of the Mahury River, in the commune of Remire-Montjoly, a south-eastern suburb of Cayenne. However these days, freighter travel is the only possibility to get into French Guyana from further away by boat. By car[ edit ] Looking across the unused bridge across Oyapock From Brazil you can take a private barge across the Oiapoque River. Its owner can be contacted in St Georges or in Oiapoque.

From Suriname, there is a ferry to cross the Maroni River. Oyapock River Bridge[ edit ] The Oyapock River Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge. It spans the Oyapock River to link the cities of Oiapoque in Brazil and Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock in French Guiana. The two towers rise to a height of 83 meters, it's 378 meters long and it has two lanes of 3.50 m wide. The vertical clearance under the bridge is 15 meters. Construction was completed in August 2011, but its opening has been postponed many times, as the border facilities on the Brazilian side are still under construction. As of August 2016, the bridge has still not been opened but the next promised date for its opening is late 2016. On the French side, access will be through a border checkpoint (FCP) which will present three government control: the Border Police, the Customs and the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry.

The bridge over the Oyapock will be a toll-free bridge (the booths are control booths, not toll booths), and it will be accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians. By bus[ edit ] From Macapá (Brazil) and Paramaribo (Suriname) you can get to the border by minibus, but in both cases you need to cross the river by boat and take another bus after the crossing. By boat[ edit ] 3,400 km of French Guiana's waterways are navigable by native craft; 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers. By bus[ edit ] There is limited public transportation throughout the territory. Transport Interurbain de la Guyane operates bus routes between major towns. Minibuses go between major towns but there may only be a few per day. They leave when they are full. Fares are fixed per route; if only going partial distance to Cayenne you may have to pay the full fare. E.g. St. Laurent du Maroni to Kourou you may have to pay the full fare to Cayenne. Fare for St. Laurent to Cayenne is €25.

By taxi[ edit ] It's quite easy to find a taxi, but this is a very expensive way of getting around. The 15 minutes ride from the airport to central Cayenne will cost €35, and to travel one way from Cayenne to Kourou you'll have to fork out €85. By car[ edit ] As the public transportation is limited, renting a car is also an option for getting around. Hitchhiking is a good and free alternative. A lot of locals doing it as well. An asphalted road from Régina to Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock (a town by the Brazilian border) was opened in 2004, completing the road from Cayenne to the Brazilian border. It is now possible to drive on a fully paved road from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni on the Surinamese border to Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock on the Brazilian border. By plane[ edit ] There aren't really any roads in the inner parts of the country. If you don't want to travel by boat, Air Guyane Express has flights from Cayenne to major inland settlements.

Talk[ edit ] French is the official language of France, although Creole is widely spoken. The majority of the population speaks French while few understand English. However, some officials, police, and gendarmes may speak English. Because of the presence of many Brazilians and Dominicans, lots of people understand basic Portuguese and basic Spanish. On the Maroni river, Sranan Tong (Taki-taki) is often used. See[ edit ] The botanical garden of Cayenne Guiana Space centre close to Kourou . There is a free tour twice a day. And for a few euros you can visit a museum. Check the rocket launch schedule for a special experience. The capital of Cayenne has some museums and colonial architecture. The Îles du salut and Kourou used to form a penal colony, colloquially known as the Devil's Island (although in reality that's the name of just one of the islands). From Kourou you can visit the islands by boat, however the Devil's Island proper isn't open for visitors. Buy[ edit ] The official currency is the euro just like in mainland France.

Most purchases will be more expensive than you expect, as a lot of stuff has to be imported - even milk is flown in from metropolitan France. Things like electronics are really expensive. However the local rum and objects carved out of wood are great souvenirs and relatively affordable. For daily purchases, there is a shopping mall outside Cayenne similar to the "hypermarkets" of metropolitan France. Smaller grocery and convenience stores are in the city selling not just food but other small things you might need like insect repellent, tooth paste and other hygiene articles. Eat[ edit ] Red beans and rice A typical local dish includes fish and other seafood or game meat served with rice, red beans or couac (flour made out of dried cassava) and can be rather fierce, as they often use liberal amounts of spices. What else would you expect from a region whose capital has given name to the cayenne pepper? You can of course always ask the chef to make your dish less spicy.

Guyanese specialties include: Bouillon d'Awara - broth of awara fruit (Astrocaryum vulgare) Colombo - a Creole dish with pork or chicken Red beans - served with game or fish Lentils - served with game or fish Kalou/Kalalou - a fish dish with spinach and okra Pimentade - peppered and lemon seasoned fish in tomato sauce Blaf de poisson - fish prepared with court-bouillon Roti couniad - fish barbecued with its scale In some restaurants you may find meat of threatened species (such as cayman and certain turtles) on the menu. Think twice before ordering any of those exotic dishes. Drink[ edit ] Tafia is a local hard liquor that is widely drunk and used as medical purpose. One can drink it with lime juice or with salt and it's used in a drink called Planter, excellent. Rum and ti-punch are also common. Sleep[ edit ] A carbet Hotels are rather expensive in French Guiana, at many hotels you'll need to spend well over €100 for a night. For cheaper accommodation there are also a couple of hostels that however don't have web pages.

The cheapest accommodation is also the most adventurous one. For a few euros you can sleep in a hammock in a traditional carbet, a shelter without walls. This is the only type of accommodation available in the rainforest. Work[ edit ] Guiana Space Centre is a major employer in the department For European people coming from an EU country, working in French Guiana is allowed without problem. If you're from outside the EU, you will probably need a work permit - check with the French Embassy in your country. Do not forget though that the unemployment rate is high. But if you work in the health sector (doctor, nurse), it will be much easier. French proficiency is essential. Voluntary service: Volontariat Civil à l'Aide Technique (VCAT) . Conditions: you must be French or from another EU-member state or a country belonging to the European Economic Area. You must be over 18 and under 28 years old (inclusive). You must not have had your civic rights revoked by a court or have been convicted of certain offences.

Stay safe[ edit ] It is advisable to pay extreme attention not to lose your passport: there are very few consulates in French Guiana as such services are provided by consulates in Paris , so you will be required to go to Paris in case you need your passport to be reissued if you are not an EU citizen. Some parts of the department are patrolled by the French Foreign Legion, including the Kourou space centre and areas where illegal gold mining have occurred. Stay healthy[ edit ] Rainforest in French Guiana Vaccination against yellow fever is necessary; without a yellow fever vaccination certificate you are not allowed into French Guiana. Also two other tropical mosquito-born diseases, namely malaria and dengue fever are endemic to the region. In other words, do protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks - long sleeved clothing and insect repellent are recommended. The risk is smaller in the cities and towns. Swimming in still-standing water is not a good idea as it often contains parasites. This is less of a problem in rivers. However water in nature is not safe for drinking. Poisonous snakes and spiders also pose a risk, and you should definitely wear boots in the rainforest and not "explore" hollow trees where these creatures often lurk.

Remember that it can take very long to get to a hospital if you get bitten. Other health risks include cholera, typhoid fever and rabies. Healthcare is almost up to the same standards as in mainland France, although slightly more expensive. There are hospitals in Cayenne and Kourou. Concerning tropical diseases they are better equipped and more experienced than mainland hospitals. Respect[ edit ] The Creole culture is deeply rooted in French Guyana, but the population is still proud of being French. Hence insinuating they aren't really French is likely to cause offense. For example mainland France should be referred to as metropolitan/mainland France ("métropole"), not "France". The locals are happy to answer any questions about their culture, history and religion. However slavery is a sensitive subject that should be avoided. Connect[ edit ] For cheaper local calls and calls to mainland France it's advisable to buy a local prepaid SIM card. The Alizé cards by France Telecom offer 13 hours of communication for €15. There are three GSM operators: Orange Caraïbe, Digicel and Only. This region travel guide to French Guiana is a usable article.

It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page . Guyana & Suriname | Australia's Guyana & Suriname Experts When to go to Guyana & Suriname The Guianas consist of 3 nations - Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname. Cayenne Pepper is named after Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana. In the 1970s Hmong refugees from Laos were relocated to French Guiana, with around 2,000 Hmong people settling in an area they called Cacao. The infamous Devil's Island, one of the Îles du Salut in French Guiana, was part of the French penal colony in South America. Henri Charrière’s book "Papillon" was about an escape from here. Guyana is considered the only English speaking country in South America. The name Guyana (from Arawak Wayana) means, "Land of many waters. Kaieteur Falls in Guyana is the largest single-drop waterfall by volume in the world.

The Omai Gold Mine in Guyana is one of the largest open-pit gold mines in South America. Suriname is the only country in South America where Dutch is the official language. Suriname’s largest ethnic group is Hindustani. Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America. Weather in Guyana & Suriname Guyana was first colonised by the Dutch, Essequibo being the first settlement in 1616. The British assumed control in 1796 and it became a British colony in 1814 and was known as British Guiana. It remained a British colony for over 200 years before gaining independence on 26 May 1966. Guyana officially became a republic in 1970 and in 2008 the country joined the Union of South America Nations as a founding member. French Guiana was first settled by the French in the 1600’s, but tropical diseases and climate killed most of the early settlers. The Portuguese Empire gained control of the country in the early 1800’s, but it was returned to France in 1814 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

The infamous Devil’s Island prison operated from 1852 to 1953 and France sent over 55,000 prisoners to the island. French Guiana became an overseas department of France in 1946 and during the 1970’s France helped resettle Hmong refugees from Laos to French Guiana. Suriname was first explored by the Spanish in the 16th century, settled by the English in the mid 17th century, finally becoming a Dutch colony in 1667. The plantation colonies relied heavily on African slaves to cultivate the plantations, but they were treated extremely badly and many escaped into the adjoining rainforests where they established a new culture and were known as the Maroons. African slavery was abolished in 1863 and workers were brought in from Java and India. The Dutch governed Suriname as Dutch Guiana until 1954. Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975. Guyana & Suriname Culture and Customs Guyana is in the north east of South America. It is bordered by Suriname to the east, Brazil to the south, Venezuela to the west and by the Atlantic Ocean to the north.

The country can be divided into several natural regions. Most of the population is based on the low, fertile coastal plains along the Atlantic coast. Inland there is a white sand belt where most of Guyana’s mineral deposits lay. The southern part of the country is covered by dense rain forests and is known as the Forested Highland Region. The southwest is low desert savannah and in the central southwest part of the country there is high savannah that leads to a mountainous area towards the Brazil border. Guyana has one of the largest unspoiled rainforests in South America. The highest mountain in Guyana is Mt Roraima (2,810m) on the Brazil-Guyana-Venezuela tri-point border. The climate is tropical - hot and humid, with northeast trade winds along the coast. The country has 2 rainy seasons - May to mid-August and mid-November to mid-January. Guyana’s natural resources include bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp and fish. French Guiana is a department of France in the Amazonia region of South America. It borders Brazil to the south and east, Suriname to the west with the Atlantic Ocean to the north.

The country has two main geographical regions - a narrow coastal strip where the majority of the population lives and dense, almost impenetrable rainforest that rises to the Tumuc-Humac Mountains on the Brazilian border. The territory is almost entirely separated from Brazil and Suriname by the Oyapak River to the east and the Maroni River to the west. There are also several islands found off the coast including Devil’s Island and Îles du Connetable bird sanctuary. Like Guyana, the climate here is tropical - hot and humid with little seasonal variation. The rainy season starts in November/December and runs through to July. French Guiana’s natural resources include bauxite, timber, gold, cinnabar, kaolin and shrimp. Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America. It is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, Guyana to the west with an Atlantic coastline in the north. There are two distinct geographical regions. In the north the lowland coastal area is cultivated and houses most of the population. The southern part of the country is mainly tropical rainforest with savannah along the border with Brazil and accounts for 80% of the land.

Suriname has a hot, wet, tropical climate. Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year and the humidity is high. There are two wet seasons and two dry seasons. Suriname’s natural resources include timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite and gold as well as small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum and iron. Guyana & Suriname History Guyana is the only English speaking country in South America. Three quarters of the population is made up of the 2 largest ethnic groups - the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian labourers). Guyanese culture is a fusion of cultures with influences from African, Indian, Amerindian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish cultures. There are also nine indigenous tribes including the Arawaks, Wai Wai and Caribs. Although English is the official language, most of the population speak Guyanese Creole. Guyana’s predominant religion is Christian followed by Hindu. The most popular music is Calypso. Guyanese cuisine is also a melting pot of influences reflecting from the ethnic diversity of the country.

The food is varied and includes curries and roti, Guyanese style chow mein, Pepperpot (an Amerindian meat stew) and cassava bread. The national dish is the one pot meal and the most popular drink is dark rum. French Guiana’s population is ethnically diverse and highly multicultural with ancestry from France, Africa, the Caribbean, Haiti, The Netherlands, Britain, Spain, Portugal, China, Laos, East Indies and Brazil. The culture is heavily influenced by the French culture. Most of the population lives along the coast but the Maroons (descendants of escaped African slaves) and Amerindians are found in the interior. French is the official language of French Guiana although a number of other languages are spoken including Creole, Amerindian languages, Maroon dialects and Hmong Njua. The dominant religion of French Guiana is Roman Catholicism but the Maroons maintain their own religion. Even the Hmong are mainly Catholic. The cuisine is again diverse and can be quite spicy. A traditional dish is bouillon d’aoura prepared with smoked fish and flavoured with aurora fruit. Pimentade is fish with a tomato sauce, spiced and seasoned with lemon.

Suriname’s population is made up primarily of Creoles (African and European mixed heritage), Maroons (descendants of escaped African slaves) and the descendants of Indian and Javanese contract workers. There are also Chinese, Europeans, Brazilians and various indigenous groups. Dutch is the official language of Suriname, spoken by the majority of the population. Sranang Tongo, a local Creole language was supressed by the Dutch for many years but is now also widely used. The predominant religion is Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism) followed by Hindu. Many Maroons practice Winti - an Afro-American religion. Due to the country’s multicultural heritage, Suriname celebrates a variety of distinct ethnic and religious festivals and has a variety of cuisines ranging from Indian to Chinese, Javanese and Creole. Surinamese cuisine includes roti, nasi goreng, the casserole pom and chicken masala. Guyana & Suriname Geography Guyana’s economy is based mainly around agriculture and mining and is heavily dependent on the export of sugar, rice, gold, bauxite, timber and shrimp. The country is vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices and adverse weather conditions.

The economy has shown moderate growth over the last few years but is hindered by a lack of skilled labour and poor infrastructure. French Guiana is part of the European Union and Eurozone and its currency is the Euro. The country relies heavily on France for subsidies, trade and goods. Fishing, gold mining and timber are the main traditional industries. The Space Station near Kourou, built by President Charles de Gaulle in 1964, contributes significantly to the local economy and is now the European Space Agency’s primary launch site. Sugar, banana and rice exports have virtually stopped but tourism, especially eco-tourism is increasing. Suriname’s economy is dominated by the mining industry. Bauxite, gold and oil exports account for 85% of total exports resulting in the economy fluctuating with the mineral prices. Agriculture (rice and bananas) is also an important contributor to the economy and ecotourism is providing new opportunities. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve was established in 1998 signalling Suriname’s commitment to conserve its huge tract of unspoiled rainforest. The Reserve became a World Heritage Site in 2000.

Tourism & Sustainability Guyana is a representative democratic republic with a President and a Prime Minister. The country is divided into 10 regions and universal suffrage is granted to those 18 years of age. After independence and up until the early 1990’s, mainly socialist-oriented governments ruled Guyana. It was not until 1992 that the country had it’s first free and fair election, overseen by former US President Jimmy Carter. The People’s Progressive Party has governed the country since then. French Guiana, being part of France, is part of the European Union. The President of the French Republic is its head of state and the Prime Minister of France its head of government. A prefect is appointed by the French President as his representative to head the local government of the country. The Guianese Socialist Party dominates the politics of the region. One of the major problems affecting French Guiana is the influx of illegal immigrants and gold prospectors from neighbouring Brazil and Suriname. Suriname is a constitutional democratic republic, divided into ten districts. The president is the chief of state and head of government. Universal suffrage is granted to those 18 years of age. Suriname has seen its share of political instability.

One third of the country’s population emigrated to the Netherlands in the years leading up to independence. In 1980, five years after independence, the civilian government was overthrown by a military regime. In 1982, the dictator Desi Bouterse arrested 13 prominent citizens who had criticised the military dictatorship and took them to Fort Zeelandia where they were executed (December Killings). He was tried for murder but was given amnesty by the parliament and allowed to remain in charge of the army. Bouterse dismissed the government in 1990 by phone in what is known as the “Telephone Coup”. An ongoing civil war between the Suriname Army and the Maroons during the 1990’s weakened Bouterse’s position and in 1999 he was convicted in absentia in the Netherlands of drug smuggling and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. He returned to power as the president in 2010. Relationships with the Netherlands are strained but Suriname has positive relations with the US, Barbados, China and Brazil.

Guyana & Suriname Food and Drinks Guyana Shakira Caine - Former Miss Guyana and Wife of Actor Michael Caine Edmond Montague "Eddy" Grant - Musician Clive Lloyd - Former West Indies Cricket Captain French Guiana Henri Salvador - Singer Cyrille Regis - Footballer Henri Charrière - Born in France but a famous prisoner on Devil’s Island and author of "Papillon" Suriname Jan Ernst Matzeliger - Inventor of Shoe Manufacturing Machinery Cynthia McLeod - Author Anton de Kom - Surinamese Resistance Fighter and Anti-colonialist Author Letitia Vriesde - Olympic Athlete French Guiana travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal prisons known as "le Bagne" which functioned from the mid 19th century until 1951. The most famous of which is Devil's Island. Henri Charrière wrote his tale "Papillon" about an escape from here. The European Space Agency also launches its communication satellites from Kourou . French Guyana is the only portion of mainland South America still governed by an overseas nation.

Landscape[ edit ] Almost entirely covered in rainforests, with numerous creeks and small rivers. The territory is almost entirely separated from its neighbours by two rivers: the Oyapok to the east and the Maroni to the west. There are three small islands, the Iles du Salut, off the coast of Kourou . Low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains, mostly an unsettled wilderness. It also consists of hill plateaus and the Tumuc-humac mountains. Climate[ edit ] Tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation although it is a little cooler when the rainy season starts (from November/December through July, though there is usually a period called "the little summer" where there is less rain, usually in March). People[ edit ] The vast majority of the population is concentrated in towns and villages on the coastline. The French Guianan population is highly multicultural, being composed of (but not limited to) Native Americans, Europeans, Brazilians, Chinese, Haitians and Libyans. Get in[ edit ] Concerning immigration, French Guiana has different laws. French Guiana is not part of the Schengen territory.

For some neighbouring countries (Brazil, Suriname, Dominican Republic etc.) it is easier to go to Paris than it is to reach Cayenne. Visas[ edit ] Citizens of the European Union and European Economic Area , Andorra , Monaco , San Marino and Switzerland can visit, stay and work visa-free for a unlimited time in French Guiana. Citizens of the countries mentioned above may enter French Guiana using a national identity card as a travel document, if taking flights from Metropolitan France to French Guiana. This can also be done if flying from Guadeloupe , Martinique , Mayotte , and Réunion . Citizens of Albania , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Macedonia , Moldova , Montenegro , and Serbia who hold a biometric passport can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Emergency services members and Special authorising cross-border travel card holders of Oiapoque , Amapá can visit Saint-Georges-de-d'Oyapok visa-free for up to 72 hours. A yellow fever vaccination is also essential.

By plane[ edit ] Cayenne-Rochambeau Airport ( IATA : CAY) From Martinique and Guadeloupe , with Air France (unfortunately, Air Caraibes no longer flys to French Guiana from Martinique and Guadeloupe) From Paris , with Air France and Air Caraibes From Miami with Air France By car[ edit ] From Brazil you can take a private barge across the Oiapoque River. Its owner can be contacted in St Georges or in Oiapoque. From Suriname, there is a ferry to cross the Maroni River. Oyapock River Bridge[ edit ] The Oyapock River Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge, the two towers rising to 83m high. Its length is 378m, it has two lanes of 3.50m wide. The vertical clearance under the bridge is 15m. It spans the Oyapock River to link the cities of Oiapoque in Brazil and Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock in French Guiana. Its construction was completed in August 2011, commissioning is scheduled for January 2013.

At the French side, the access will be through a border checkpoint (FCP) which will present three government controls: the Border Police, the Customs and the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry. The bridge over the Oyapock is a toll-free bridge (the booths are controls, not toll booths), which will be accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians. By boat[ edit ] From Brazil and Suriname, to cross the rivers Oyapoque and Le Maroni, which takes 15 minutes, it's not very expensive, but you have to haggle . Crossing the Oyapoque from Brazil should cost you about €5, no haggling. If you go a little upstream to Rona's lodge, you should pay €7. Ask first to be sure but the boatmen are a co-operative and the price is fixed for everyone. Get around[ edit ] 3,400km of French Guiana's waterways are navigable by native boats called pirogues. 460km is navigable by small ocean-going vessels and coastal and river steamers. There is limited public transport throughout the territory. Minibuses go between major towns but there may only be a few per day.

Fares are fixed per route; if only going partial distance to Cayenne you may have to pay the full fare. Eg. St. Laurent du Maroni to Kourou you may have to pay the full fare to Cayenne. Fare for St. Laurent to Cayenne is €50, for Kourou to Cayenne €10, Saint-Georges to Cayenne €40. There is a bus that runs from the airport to the centre of Cayenne, contact the people at the information desk at the airport to be sure the driver stops to pick you up. There are numerous taxis. They are comfortable but very expensive. A journey from the airport to Cayenne would cost you €35 and the price for a taxi from Cayenne to Kourou could get as high as €85. There are lots of possibilities for renting cars on the airport and in Cayenne and the other bigger villages. Talk[ edit ] French is the official language of French Guiana, although Creole is widely spoken. The majority of the population speaks French while few understand English. However, some officials, police, and gendarmes may speak English.

Because of the presence of many Brazilians and Dominicans, many people understand basic Portuguese and basic Spanish. On the Maroni river, Taki-taki is often used. See[ edit ][ add listing ] The Hmong Market at Cacao, the Kaw river by pirogue, a rocket liftoff from La Carapa, Kourou, le Bagne de Saint-Laurent, Les Iles du Salut/the Salvation Islands or Papillon's prison, sea turtles laying eggs on the beach at Remire-Montjoly, Awala-Yalimapo and the annual Kalinia games, etc. The official currency is the euro (€) just like in mainland France. There are numerous wood artists in French Guiana. They make things such as wooden snakes and flowers. The indigenous Tembé people make traditional expressive drawings. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] The French Guianan cuisine is very diverse. You can see people eat fish, game meat, vegetables and exotic fruits. For tourists, the dishes may seem too spicy. If you have a sensitive stomach, don't hesitate to ask at a restaurant to make the food less spicy than they normally do.

Guianans are fond of smoked fish and meat, which is part of their traditional cuisine. These dishes are frequently served with rice, red beans or cassave chips. Bouillon d'Awara, excellent Guianan dish, broth on basis of awara, a palm fruit. Colombo, indigenous dish with pork or chicken. Lentils with game meat or fish. Kalou or Kalalou, smoked fish with spinach and okra. Pimentade, fish with tomato sauce, spiced and seasoned with lemon. Blaf de poisson, fish prepared in broth. Roti couniad, grilled fish with chips. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] In some of the more rural parts of the territory it is possible to rent a rudimentary hut bordering a river. Don't forget to buy a hammock and a mosquito net in advance. Transport over the river to reach the hut is mostly included in the rental fee. In the urban areas of Cayenne, Saint-Laurent and Kourou, there are plenty of hotels. Prices have been on the rise but rooms are mostly good.

Learn[ edit ] The university of the Antilles and Guyane has a branch in French Guiana, with three faculties (teacher training, medicine and nursing) in Cayenne and a technological institute in Kourou. Work[ edit ] For residents of an EU country and Switzerland, working in French Guiana is allowed without problem. If you're from outside the EU, you will probably need a work permit - check with the French Embassy in your country. Do not forget though that the unemployment rate is high. But if you work in the health sector (doctor, nurse), it will be much easier. Voluntary service: Volontariat Civil à l'Aide Technique (VCAT), [2] . Conditions: you must be French or from another EU-member state or a country belonging to the European Economic Area. You must be over 18 and under 28 years old (inclusive). You must not have had your civic rights revoked by a court or have been convicted of certain offences.

Stay safe[ edit ] It is advisable to pay extreme attention not to lose your passport: there are very few consulates in French Guiana as such services are provided by consulates in Paris , so you will be required to go to Paris in case you need your passport to be reissued if you are not an EU citizen. Vaccination against yellow fever is necessary. Malaria is also a risk. Respect[ edit ] Being so far away from metropolitan France, it is often forgotten that the Guianese are, as well as a distinct people in their own right, also French citizens. Don't let them seem either one of those too much, they are in between and value both their own culture and their French citizenship.

Question: Suriname's three neighbouring countries are Guyana, French Guiana and which other?
Answer: Brazil