A French overseas department of northeast South America on the Atlantic Ocean. Settlement by the French began in 1604, but the area was largely ignored until penal colonies (now closed) were established in the 19th century. Cayenne is the capital and the largest city. Population: 200,000.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
