evidence: French Guiana: a European presence in South America French Guiana is located on the north Atlantic coast of South America. Its growth is based on its exceptional geostrategic location, a qualified and competitive workforce, and an abundance of natural resources. Aerospace-related activity, which is centered on the Guiana Space Centre and a number of research centers, mean that French Guiana has the second-highest proportion of research jobs in all of France’s regions, just behind the Greater Paris region. [...] The Amazon rainforest covers 95% of French Guiana’s territory, amounting to more than eight million hectares. It comprises more than 1,200 species of trees, including numerous precious woods. The wood sector is one of the major economic activities.