French overseas department in NE South America, on the Atlantic: 35,135 sq mi (90,999 sq km); pop. 115,000; cap. Cayenne
See French Guiana in American Heritage Dictionary 4
A French overseas department of northeast South America on the Atlantic Ocean. Settlement by the French began in 1604, but the area was largely ignored until penal colonies (now closed) were established in the 19th century. Cayenne is the capital and the largest city. Population: 200,000.