Cayenne, French Guiana

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Cayenne, French Guiana

Region: French Guiana

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Geographic Coordinates: 4.933000, -52.330000

Climate: Tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity year-round, rainy season from December to July.

Population: 61550

Language: French

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Cayenne, The capital city of French Guiana, Is located in South America on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Cayenne River. The city has a population of around 60, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 23 square miles. Founded by French colonizers in the 17th century, Cayenne played a significant role in the slave trade and had many plantations that produced sugar cane, Coffee, Cocoa, And other crops. Today it is known for its diverse culture that reflects its mix of African, European and Amerindian influences.

Fort Cépérou is one of Cayenne’s most popular attractions; it was built by Dutch settlers in 1652 to defend against French invasion. The fort offers stunning views over the city and houses a museum dedicated to local history. Place des Palmistes features beautiful gardens with palm trees as well as several monuments including one dedicated to Félix Éboué – a prominent figure in French Guiana’s fight against Nazi occupation during World War II. The Cathedral Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne stands out with its unique architecture that blends traditional European styles with local elements such as wooden shutters and colorful tiles.

Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) dates back to 1855 and houses several government offices. Cayenne offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking through tropical rainforests or exploring nearby islands like Îles du Salut – made famous by Henri Charrière’s book Papillon about his escape from Devil’s Island prison located on one of these islands. Foodies will appreciate Cayenne’s vibrant culinary scene which features dishes influenced by Creole cuisine as well as traditional French fare.

Some must-try dishes include accras – savory fritters made with salt cod and spices -and bouillabaisse – a fish stew originating from Marseille but has become popular in French Guiana. Cayenne is a unique and fascinating city that offers visitors the chance to explore its rich history, Vibrant culture, Stunning natural beauty, And delicious cuisine. Whether you’re interested in history, Outdoor activities or simply soaking up the local atmosphere, Cayenne has something for everyone.

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1. Place des Palmistes
2. Fort Cépérou
3. Musée Départemental Franconie
4. Jardin Botanique de Cayenne
5. Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne
6. Marché de Cayenne (Cayenne Market)
7. Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
8. Place des Amandiers
9. Monument aux morts de la guerre 14-18
10. Musée des Cultures Guyanaises

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1. Tourism: Cayenne is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance.
2. Agriculture: The region is known for its production of bananas, cassava, rice, and other crops.
3. Fishing: The fishing industry is an important source of income for many people in the region.
4. Mining: French Guiana has significant reserves of gold and other minerals that are mined by large multinational companies.
5. Aerospace: The European Space Agency operates a satellite launch facility in Kourou near Cayenne.
6. Government services: As the capital city of French Guiana, Cayenne is home to many government offices and agencies.
7. Retail trade: A variety of stores and shops can be found throughout the city selling everything from clothing to electronics to food products.
8. Education: There are several universities and research institutions located in or near Cayenne that contribute to the local economy through employment opportunities and research funding.

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1. Arrival of the first French settlers in 1664.
2. Establishment of the penal colony in 1852.
3. The famous Papillon book written by Henri Charrière, who escaped from the penal colony.
4. The space center built by the European Space Agency in Kourou, near Cayenne.
5. Félix Éboué, a prominent politician and anti-colonialist figure who was born in Cayenne.
6. Léon-Gontran Damas, a poet and one of the founders of the Négritude movement who was also born in Cayenne.
7. The Maroons or Bushinengue community who were enslaved Africans that escaped into the jungle and formed independent communities.
8. The Hmong refugees from Laos who settled in French Guiana after being displaced by war.
9. The protests against high living costs known as The Social Crisis that occurred in 2017.
10. The arrival of COVID-19 pandemic which has affected many parts of French Guiana including Cayenne city.

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1. Musée des Cultures Guyanaises
2. Fort Cépérou
3. Place des Palmistes
4. Jardin Botanique de Cayenne
5. Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne
6. Place Léopold Héder
7. Centre d’Art et d’Expression François Mitterrand (CAE)
8. Musée Alexandre Franconie
9. Marché aux épices et aux fruits exotiques
10. La Maison du Patrimoine de la Guyane

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1. Carnival of Cayenne is the biggest and most popular event in French Guiana, held annually in February or March.
2. Festival of Music takes place every year on June 21st and features live music performances by both local and international artists.
3. Amerindian Heritage Days is a cultural celebration that highlights the indigenous heritage of French Guiana, featuring traditional music, dance, food, and crafts.
4. Festival Amazonie Caraïbe is an annual event that celebrates the diverse cultures of the Amazonian region through exhibitions, workshops, concerts, and other activities.
5. International Film Festival of Cayenne showcases independent films from around the world with a focus on Caribbean and Latin American cinema.
6. Feast Day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a religious festival celebrated every year on June 29th with parades, processions, music performances and fireworks displays.
7. Bastille Day Celebrations are observed throughout French Guiana on July 14th to mark France’s national holiday with fireworks displays at night time.
8. Christmas Celebrations are marked by decorating Christmas trees throughout Cayenne along with many events such as carol singing competitions etc.

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• Bouillon D’Amerique is a local restaurant that specializes in traditional Creole cuisine, including bouillon – a hearty soup made with fish or meat and vegetables.
• Le Bistrot Cayennais is a French-style bistro that offers classic dishes such as escargots, steak frites, and crème brûlée.
• La Table de Lili is a cozy restaurant that serves Caribbean-inspired dishes like grilled fish with plantains and coconut rice.
• Le Toucan is known for its seafood specialties like grilled lobster and shrimp curry.
• Chez Tonton is a popular spot for street food lovers, offering delicious sandwiches filled with local ingredients like smoked marlin or chicken curry.
• Le Rond-Point des Palmistes is an upscale restaurant located in the heart of Cayenne, serving refined French cuisine with a tropical twist.
• La Belle Etoile is another great option for seafood lovers, offering fresh catches from the nearby Atlantic Ocean prepared in various ways including ceviche and grilled fish fillets.
• Chez Nana et Jojo is a family-owned eatery famous for its homemade cassava bread served alongside traditional dishes such as stewed chicken or pork ribs in barbecue sauce.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Place des Palmistes: This is a popular public park located in the heart of Cayenne. It features beautiful palm trees, fountains, and benches for relaxation.
2. Jardin Botanique de Cayenne: This botanical garden showcases the diverse flora and fauna of French Guiana with various walking trails and guided tours available.
3. Plage de Montjoly: Located just outside of Cayenne, this beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
4. Centre Nautique de Rémire-Montjoly: This water sports center offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), windsurfing, and other aquatic activities.
5. Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Guyane: This zoo features animals native to French Guiana such as monkeys, jaguars, tapirs as well as a variety of plants from the region.
6. La Colline aux Vautours: A nature reserve located near Kourou that offers hiking trails with views of vultures in their natural habitat.
7. Le Parc des Roches Gravées: A park that features pre-Columbian petroglyphs carved into rocks by Amerindian tribes thousands of years ago.
8. Lac Bois Chaudat Nature Reserve – A protected area home to numerous species including birds like herons and kingfishers
9. Îles du Salut – Three small islands off the coast of Kourou where visitors can explore historic ruins from when they were used as a penal colony
10. The Maroni River- Visitors can take boat tours along this river which serves as a natural border between Suriname & French Guiana offering beautiful scenery along the way

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Travel And Be Free.

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