The country code +197 is assigned to French Guiana. It is an overseas region of France located in South America.
1. Location:
- French Guiana is located on the northeastern coast of South America.
- It is bordered by Brazil to the south and east, and Suriname to the west. To the north, it has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Political Status:
- French Guiana is an overseas department and region of France, making it an integral part of the French Republic.
- It is not an independent country but is part of France, which means it uses the Euro as its currency, and its legal system and government structures are aligned with those of France.
3. Capital:
- The capital city is Cayenne.
4. Language:
- The official language is French.
- There are also local languages spoken, such as Creole, which is a mix of French and various African, Caribbean, and indigenous languages, and various indigenous languages.
5. Population:
- The population of French Guiana is around 300,000 people.
- It is a melting pot of different cultures, with people of Creole, Maroon, Hmong, and indigenous descent, as well as French nationals.
6. Geography:
- The region is covered by tropical rainforests and has a humid climate with a rainy season from December to July.
- French Guiana has a rich biodiversity and several protected natural reserves.
7. Economy:
- The economy of French Guiana is primarily driven by public sector jobs (since it is a French department) and space-related activities.
- The Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais) located near Kourou is one of the most important spaceports in the world, hosting rocket launches for European, French, and international space missions.
- Other economic activities include fishing, agriculture (such as rice and tropical fruits), and gold mining.
8. History:
- French Guiana was originally used by the French as a penal colony, particularly notorious for the Devil’s Island, where political prisoners and criminals were held.
- It became an official part of France in 1946 as an overseas department.
9. Country Code +197:
- The country code +197 is specifically assigned to French Guiana for telephone communications. Calls made to French Guiana from abroad will generally start with +197.
In summary, French Guiana is a French overseas region with a unique geographic and cultural blend, offering a fascinating combination of natural beauty, history, and space exploration significance.