Saint-Élie

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.[4]

Not to be confused with the town of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton (formerly known as Saint-Élie).
Saint-Élie
Commune
The Petit-Saut Dam, northeast of the commune, on the border with Sinnamary
The Petit-Saut Dam, northeast of the commune, on the border with Sinnamary
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana
Location of Saint-Élie
Coordinates: 4°49′22″N 53°16′35″W
CountryFrance
Overseas region and departmentFrench Guiana
ArrondissementCayenne
IntercommunalityCC des Savanes
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Véronique Jacaria[1]
Area
1
5,680 km2 (2,190 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2020)[2]
244
 • Density0.043/km2 (0.11/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−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.

History
Gold mine in Saint-Élie with the railway

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]

Nature

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]

Villages

See also

References
  1. "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
  2. "Populations légales 2020". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 29 December 2022.
  3. "South America 1930: Vargas Revolution". Omni Atlas. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. "Mairie Saint-Élie". Mairie Saint-Élie (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. "Industrial Railways in French Guiana, 2014". International Steam. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  6. "Quand la Guyane voulait son chemin de fer" (PDF). Alliance Francophone Internationale du Tourisme et des Voyages (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. "La barrière de la discorde à Saint-Elie". France TV Info (in French). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  8. "CME Announces Agreement with Newmont on its Esperance Project and Seeks a Partner for its Saint-Elie Property in French Guiana". Globe News Wire. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  9. "Petit Saut Dam". Structurae.net. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  10. "Historique Réserve Naturelle La Trinité" (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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