Balata | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 4°53′12″N 52°20′13″W / 4.8866°N 52.3369°W | |
Country | France |
Overseas region | French Guiana |
Arrondissement | Cayenne |
Commune | Matoury |
Area | |
• Total | 0.59 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
Population (2018)
[1] | |
• Total | 2,067 |
• Density | 3,500/km2 (9,100/sq mi) |
Balata is a town in the commune of Matoury in French Guiana. It is located at the junction of RN1 and RN2, and started as a Haitian shanty town.
Balata is named after the nearby Balata Creek. It is located at the junction of RN1 and RN2 in Matoury. [2]
Haitian emigration to French Guiana started in the late 1960s, and accelerated from the late 1980s onwards. [3] At first, they settled among the Haitians already living in Cayenne. [4] Starting in 1995, shanty towns like Balata appeared on the outskirts of the urban area. [5] Many of the settlers either bought or rented the land. By 2005, only a third of the residents were squatting. [6]
The favourable position at the junction of two main roads, triggered suburbanisation in the area. Family Plaza, a 30,000 m2 commercial centre with shopping mall, [7] a golf course, [8] and the Lycée Balata, a high school, were constructed in Balata. [9]
Balata, a neighbourhood of Matoury, [10] is listed as a QPV, a problematic urban area needing attention, [1] because of its crime rate [11]
Balata | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 4°53′12″N 52°20′13″W / 4.8866°N 52.3369°W | |
Country | France |
Overseas region | French Guiana |
Arrondissement | Cayenne |
Commune | Matoury |
Area | |
• Total | 0.59 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
Population (2018)
[1] | |
• Total | 2,067 |
• Density | 3,500/km2 (9,100/sq mi) |
Balata is a town in the commune of Matoury in French Guiana. It is located at the junction of RN1 and RN2, and started as a Haitian shanty town.
Balata is named after the nearby Balata Creek. It is located at the junction of RN1 and RN2 in Matoury. [2]
Haitian emigration to French Guiana started in the late 1960s, and accelerated from the late 1980s onwards. [3] At first, they settled among the Haitians already living in Cayenne. [4] Starting in 1995, shanty towns like Balata appeared on the outskirts of the urban area. [5] Many of the settlers either bought or rented the land. By 2005, only a third of the residents were squatting. [6]
The favourable position at the junction of two main roads, triggered suburbanisation in the area. Family Plaza, a 30,000 m2 commercial centre with shopping mall, [7] a golf course, [8] and the Lycée Balata, a high school, were constructed in Balata. [9]
Balata, a neighbourhood of Matoury, [10] is listed as a QPV, a problematic urban area needing attention, [1] because of its crime rate [11]