Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America. It is one of the three sub-prefectures of French Guiana and the seat of its own arrondissement. With 54,429 inhabitants at the January 2023 census it is the second most populous city of French Guiana. The town was founded in 1858 by Auguste Baudin and for decades served as the arrival point for prisoners, who were landed at the Camp de la Transportation, so that it was the site of a penal colony from 1858 to 1946. The commune also contains Maroon villages such as La Charbonnière, founded by refugees from the civil war in Suriname. In 2025 France announced a plan to open a new high-security prison there.
Facts
Founding Year Climate Zone Sources
1. Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni (source article)
Lead, last sentence of first paragraph
with 54,429 inhabitants at the January 2023 census
Lead, second paragraph
Founded in 1858 by Auguste Baudin
Climate
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni features an equatorial climate that is a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af) more subject to the Intertropical Convergence Zone than the trade winds and with no cyclones
Part Of: France, Lead, first sentence
is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America
On Continent: South America, Lead, first sentence
is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America
In Group: Cities of South America (World), Lead
is a commune of French Guiana
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.