Saint-Élie 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.[4]
Saint-Élie | |
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Commune | |
![]() The Petit-Saut Dam, northeast of the commune, on the border with Sinnamary | |
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana | |
Location of Saint-Élie ![]() | |
Coordinates: 4°49′22″N 53°16′35″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 | 247 |
• Density | 0.043/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. |
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.[5]
The railway line needed frequent repairs, and had over 100 bridges. In 1990, the railway line was abandoned when a road opened.[6] The roads ends near Saint-Nazaire, and a 45 minute ferry to Petit-Saut Dam is needed to reach the outside world.[7]
Gold is still the backbone of the economy. The gold mines are currently being exploited by Newmont Mining Corporation.[8] In 1989, construction started on the Petit-Saut Dam to produce hydroelectric power. The dam was completed in 1994.[9]
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.[10]
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