Saint-Élie
![Map](https://maps.wikimedia.org/img/osm-intl,7,a,a,270x200.png?lang=en&domain=en.wikipedia.org&title=Saint-%C3%89lie&revid=1233963648&groups=_4a9ec4094537bb3593bfd474d095087082b1010f)
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.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_nouvelle_de_Saint-%C3%89lie_et_Adieu-Vat_-_Le_chemin_de_fer_Decauville_aux_travaux_souterrains_-_Abattage_et_lavage_des_t%C3%AAtes_de_filons_%C3%A0_Saint-%C3%89lie%2C_Guyane_fran%C3%A7aise.jpg/220px-thumbnail.jpg)
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.[4]
The railway line needed frequent repairs, and had over 100 bridges. In 1990, the railway line was abandoned when a road opened.[5] The roads ends near Saint-Nazaire, and a 45-minute ferry to Petit-Saut Dam is needed to reach the outside world.[6]
Gold is still the backbone of the economy. The gold mines are currently being exploited by Newmont Mining Corporation.[7] In 1989, construction started on the Petit-Saut Dam to produce hydroelectric power. The dam was completed in 1994.[8]
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.[9]
Villages
See also
References
- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ "South America 1930: Vargas Revolution". Omni Atlas. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Industrial Railways in French Guiana, 2014". International Steam. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Quand la Guyane voulait son chemin de fer" (PDF). Alliance Francophone Internationale du Tourisme et des Voyages (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "La barrière de la discorde à Saint-Elie". France TV Info (in French). Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Petit Saut Dam". Structurae.net. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Historique Réserve Naturelle La Trinité" (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
External links
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