This article is about the city in French Guiana. For other uses, see Cayenne pepper and Porsche Cayenne.

Cayenne is the capital of French Guiana, with a population of 60.500 (in 2003), on an island at the mouth of the Cayenne River .

History

Ignored by Spanish explorers, who found the region too hot and too poor to be colonised, the country was invaded by the French in 1643. It then passed hands between the Dutch, British and Brazilians before being returned to France.

It was a French penal settlement from 1854 to 1938.

Economy

Cayenne possesses an extremely interesting museum and many old churches. It is also an important industrial centre for the shrimp industry. Around the town you can find old sugar refineries. The town of Kourou which is home to the French National Centre for Space Studies is situated 55 kilometres to the west.

Administration

Cayenne is divided into six cantons:

• The first canton (North West) has 3,935 inhabitants;
• The second canton (North East) has 5,730 inhabitants;
• The third canton (South West) has 8,017 inhabitants;
• The fourth canton (Centre) has 5,955 inhabitants;
• The fifth canton (South) has 9,750 inhabitants;
• The sixth canton (South East) has 17,207 inhabitants;