III.

Economy and Government

The extensive forests of French Guiana, covering more than four-fifths of the entire land surface, are rich in timber of commercial importance. These tropical forests produce valuable woods such as teak, rosewood, and balata. Because of the importance of the forests, the amount of land devoted to agriculture is limited. Agriculture consists primarily of the production of local foodstuffs. The principal food crops are corn, rice, cassava, pineapples, yams, and bananas. Sugarcane, used primarily to produce rum, is the main cash crop. Fishing is of growing importance; the catch is largely shrimp, which is exported to France.

French Guiana’s mining sector has seen little development. Surface mining for gold takes place, and commercial reserves of bauxite, clay, and cinnabar also exist. Industrial establishments are small and include sawmills, rum distilleries, potteries, and brick and dye works. A satellite launching base, established in 1968 and expanded during the 1980s, is located at Kourou; Ariane rockets are launched from this base. As a department of France, French Guiana uses the euro as its unit of currency.

French Guiana is administered by a prefect, who is appointed from France. Local control rests with a general council and a regional council. Members of both councils are elected by the people. The department elects representatives to both houses of the French parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate.