Saint-Élie | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 4°49′22″N 53°16′35″W / 4.8227°N 53.2764°W | |
Country | France |
Overseas region and department | French Guiana |
Arrondissement | Cayenne |
Intercommunality | CC des Savanes |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2026) | Véronique Jacaria [1] |
Area 1 | 5,680 km2 (2,190 sq mi) |
Population (2021)
[2] | 241 |
• Density | 0.042/km2 (0.11/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC−03:00 |
INSEE/Postal code |
97358 /97312 |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
Saint-Élie (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃t‿eli]; French Guianese Creole: Sentéli) is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France in South America. In 1930, Saint-Élie became capital of the Inini territory. [3] From 1953 onward, the commune was called Centre. In 1969, it was renamed to Saint-Élie.
In 1873, gold was discovered in Saint-Élie. The mines were in the middle of the rain forest with no river connection to the outside world. In 1884 construction began on a Decauville railway line to Gare Tigre near Saint-Nazaire in order to access the Sinnamary River. [4]
The railway line needed frequent repairs, and had over 100 bridges. In 1990, the railway line was abandoned when a road opened. [5] The roads ends near Saint-Nazaire, and a 45-minute ferry to Petit-Saut Dam is needed to reach the outside world. [6]
Gold is still the backbone of the economy. The gold mines are currently being exploited by Newmont Mining Corporation. [7] In 1989, construction started on the Petit-Saut Dam to produce hydroelectric power. The dam was completed in 1994. [8]
In 1996, La Trinité National Nature Reserve was founded. It covers 76,903 hectares and is primary tropical rain forest located in the heart of the Guyana plateau forest. [9]
Saint-Élie | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 4°49′22″N 53°16′35″W / 4.8227°N 53.2764°W | |
Country | France |
Overseas region and department | French Guiana |
Arrondissement | Cayenne |
Intercommunality | CC des Savanes |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2026) | Véronique Jacaria [1] |
Area 1 | 5,680 km2 (2,190 sq mi) |
Population (2021)
[2] | 241 |
• Density | 0.042/km2 (0.11/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC−03:00 |
INSEE/Postal code |
97358 /97312 |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
Saint-Élie (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃t‿eli]; French Guianese Creole: Sentéli) is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France in South America. In 1930, Saint-Élie became capital of the Inini territory. [3] From 1953 onward, the commune was called Centre. In 1969, it was renamed to Saint-Élie.
In 1873, gold was discovered in Saint-Élie. The mines were in the middle of the rain forest with no river connection to the outside world. In 1884 construction began on a Decauville railway line to Gare Tigre near Saint-Nazaire in order to access the Sinnamary River. [4]
The railway line needed frequent repairs, and had over 100 bridges. In 1990, the railway line was abandoned when a road opened. [5] The roads ends near Saint-Nazaire, and a 45-minute ferry to Petit-Saut Dam is needed to reach the outside world. [6]
Gold is still the backbone of the economy. The gold mines are currently being exploited by Newmont Mining Corporation. [7] In 1989, construction started on the Petit-Saut Dam to produce hydroelectric power. The dam was completed in 1994. [8]
In 1996, La Trinité National Nature Reserve was founded. It covers 76,903 hectares and is primary tropical rain forest located in the heart of the Guyana plateau forest. [9]