French Guiana

French Guiana's area (83,534 sq km) is larger than many sovereign nations, including Ireland, the Czech Republic, and the UAE. This large size, combined with its small population, highlights the potential for significant natural resource management challenges and environmental preservation efforts.

French Guiana is geographically situated in South America, yet its political and economic ties are fundamentally European (as an overseas department of France). This unique political status creates a significant contrast with its immediate regional neighbors (Brazil and Suriname), affecting everything from currency to regulatory standards.

The entire population of French Guiana (292,354) is relatively small, suggesting that a significant portion of the economic and administrative activity is highly concentrated in the capital, Cayenne. Given the vast, undeveloped interior, infrastructure and services likely thin out rapidly outside the coastal urban centers.

With an area of 83,534 sq km and a population of 292,354, the population density is approximately 3.5 people per square kilometer. This is exceptionally low for the Americas region, contrasting sharply with neighboring countries or island territories which often have much higher densities.