Cayenne (Devil's Island, French Guiana)

Cayenne is a major seaport and the capital city of French Guiana, with an urban population of around 60,000 (metro around 140,000). The city is located on Cayenne Island's northwestern coast. Cayenne Port (Degrad des Cannes) handles almost all of the country's shipping trade (imports and exports). The deepwater port Degrad des Cannes was opened in 1969, to replace the old harbour port.

Degrad des Cannes is located on Mahury River's estuary, approx 18 km (11 mi) from the Atlantic Ocean. French Guiana (north-eastern South America) is one of France's overseas territories. Cayenne's current-day economy is based on its cargo port (shipping trade) with major exports being timber, rosewood essence, rum. sugar, pineapple, commercial fishing. An esplanade (seafront promenade) links downtown with the suburbs Chaton and Montabo.

The city is served by Cayenne-Félix Eboue Airport (near Matoury) located approx 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Cayenne. The airport serves regularly scheduled international flights linking to France (Paris), USA (Miami), Martinique (Fort-de-France), Guadeloupe (Pointe-a-Pitre), Brazil (Belem, Fortaleza), Haiti (Port-au-Prince). Domestic flights (by Air Guyane) link with French Guiana's Grand Santi, Maripasoula, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, and Saul.

The town (as La Ravardiere) was founded by the French in 1643 and named Cayenne since 1777. City's best-known tourist attractions and notable buildings include Avenue General de Gaulle (commercial street), Hotel de Ville (19th-century Town Hall), Musee des Cultures Guyanaise, Musee Departmental Franconie, Fort Ceperou (17th-century), Place du Coq (18th-century marketplace / covered market with a garden), Cayenne Cathedral (19th-century), Botanical Garden (18th-century). Cayenne Carnival (Parade) is annually held (January-February) and French Guiana's largest street carnival - worldwide known for its original costumes.

Asc cruise port, Cayenne is often included in the Ponant Cruises schedule. The port was visited two times in 2019 (by the superyacht Le Champlain) and six times in 2020 and 3 times in 2021 - by Le Dumont d'Urville.