Geography of French Guiana Geography of French Guiana French Guiana is an overseas region of France, located on the northern coast of South America between Suriname and Brazil. See also the article on the geography of Suriname. Northern South America and part of Caribbean South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname. South America. Total: 91,000 km².<br> Land: 89,150 km².<br> Water: 1,850 km². Total: 1,183 km.<br> Border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km (disputed).<br> Coastline: 378 km. Exclusive economic zone: territorial sea: . Tropical; hot. Low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains, see Guiana Shield. Bauxite, timber, gold
History of Guyana of the legacies of the indigenous peoples was the word Guiana, often used to describe the region encompassing modern Guyana as well as Suriname (former Dutch Guiana) and French Guiana. The word, which means "land of waters", is appropriate considering the area's multitude of rivers and streams. Historians speculate that the Arawak and Carib originated in the South American hinterland and migrated northward, first to the present-day Guianas and then to the Caribbean islands. The Arawak, mainly cultivators, hunters, and fishermen, migrated to the Caribbean islands before the Carib and settled throughout the region. The tranquility of Arawak society was