French Guiana

French Guiana is a tiny country of colonial architecture and some of the world’s most diverse plant and animal life. As a department of France, it’s one of South America’s wealthiest corners, where Amerindians, Maroons and Hmong refugees live traditional lifestyles surrounded by vast, pristine jungle.

• cast away to Îles du Salut for sand, palms and a creepy, defunct penal colony
• maps
• see one of the world’s busiest satellite launchers at the Centre Spatial Guyanais and, with luck, watch a launch
• transport
• gorge on Laotian treats and admire ornate embroidery in the Hmong community of Cacao
• restaurants & accommodation