Discover the Unexpected: Top 12 Fascinating Facts about French Guiana You Can't Miss!

1. Euros and Rockets in the Jungle

Got Euros to spare and a rocket to launch? Head over to the surprising destination that combines both these wishes: French Guiana is not just an overseas department of France which uses the Euro as its currency, but also houses the Guiana Space Centre, making it Europe's star-studded gateway to the galaxy.
Source => upe.br

2. Age-Old Space Bunny

Much like a supercharged Duracell bunny forever charged to observe the cosmos, French Guiana has an age-old space station constantly hovering above its celestial skies: The Alouette Space Station, launched in 1965 by France and Canada, holds the record for being one of the oldest continuously operating satellites in the world, playing a vital role in scientific research, telecommunications, and Earth observation.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Discover Suriname's unique linguistic smoothie, a fascinating blend of Dutch, Sranan, and local languages that make this South American nation a polyglot paradise! 🍹🌎🗣️

=> Fun Facts about Suriname

3. Jungle Spaceport Extravaganza

Houston, we have a spaceport...in the jungle: French Guiana is proudly home to the Guiana Space Centre, the European Space Agency's prime South American spaceport for launching satellites and diving deep into space research. Not only does this magnificent center claim the title of world's second-largest of its kind, but it also enjoys a prime equatorial perch, granting it the ultimate astronomical edge with Earth's natural fast lane for more efficient satellite send-offs!
Source => nationmaster.com

4. Europe's Tropical Outpost

In a plot twist only M. Night Shyamalan could dream up, French Guiana decided to bring a taste of Europe all the way to South America: This fascinating overseas department is not only part of the European Union but also uses the Euro as its official currency, making it a unique member of the Eurozone within the continent.
Source => welcometofrance.com

5. Biodiversity Fiesta

French Guiana: where the party never stops, and we're not talking about Mardi Gras or Carnival – we're talking about the unyielding fiesta of flora and fauna!: This punchy parade of biodiversity boasts over 5,500 plant species, 177 mammal varieties, rainforests acting as life-preserving hotspots during droughts and glaciations, and the Amana Nature Reserve – a world-renowned haven for leatherback turtles to get their groove on and multiply.
Source => animalia.bio

6. Space Rockets' Beach Resort

Where do space rockets go to catch some sun and surf before taking off to the stars? French Guiana, of course! Home to Europe's tropical spaceport: The Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana is Europe's primary launch site and a major player in Earth observation satellites and space research. With over 300 successful launches, its equatorial location and beachfront views offer safety and efficiency for an array of clients, including the European Space Agency, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, the French space agency CNES, the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, commercial companies, and even non-European countries.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Leatherbacks' Grunge Plight

What do leatherback turtles and 90's grunge bands have in common? They both experienced a major decline in the mid-90s! No flannel required: French Guiana's leatherback turtle population has been dwindling since the mid-1990s due to threats like illegal fishing, feral dogs feasting on eggs, and cyclical beach erosion, prompting efforts by the World Wide Fund for Nature and French Guiana Regional Fisheries Committee to save these rocking reptiles.
Source => seaturtlestatus.org

8. Amazon's Mega Mud Pies

If Mother Nature were a chef, she'd be whipping up some mud pies in French Guiana: The region's coast is heavily impacted by massive mud banks from the Amazon and Orinoco rivers, which contain thousands of g/L in sediment, shaping the morphodynamics of the smaller rivers along the coast.
Source => researchgate.net

9. Fabulous Avian Soirée

If birds of a feather truly flock together, French Guiana is clearly throwing the most fabulous avian soirée of all time: With a guest list of 698 confirmed species, this tropical nirvana boasts seven types of tinamous parading their unique charm, four guans strutting their stuff, 58 rare or vagrant head-turners, and an elusive endemic belle who only graces this exclusive gathering.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Saving Savanna Superheroes

Step aside Captain Planet, it's French Guiana's turn to save their not-so-secret savanna superheroes: Only 2.4% of their savannas are currently protected, but 75% reside within Zones Naturelles d’Intérêt Écologique, Faunistique et Floristique (ZNIEFF) areas, giving them a chance to thrive despite human activities threatening their habitat.
Source => journals.sagepub.com

11. Tropical Alcatraz

In the spirit of "Orange is the New Black," French Guiana has its own tropical spin on Alcatraz: home to the notorious Iles du Salut, these islands once served as a French penal colony and inspired the gripping novel and film "Papillon". Nowadays, visitors can uncover the chilling tales of the past while basking on immaculate beaches and swimming in pristine waters.
Source => tripadvisor.com

12. Obscure Climbing Haven

Scaling new heights with a twist of obscurity: French Guiana boasts the Bellevue de l'Inini, a 2,300-foot tall mountain that shyly hides from fame, as only a select few adventurous climbers have had the privilege of greeting its peak.
Source => guides.loc.gov