Kourou

Kourou is a commune and town in French Guiana, an overseas department of France located on the Atlantic coast of South America. It is best known for hosting the Guiana Space Centre, the European spaceport operated by CNES with involvement from Arianespace and the European Space Agency. The space centre’s proximity to the equator provides launch advantages that have made the site a central hub for European spaceflight, including launches of Ariane, Vega, and Soyuz missions.

History in the area includes long-standing indigenous presence before French colonization. The town developed as a coastal settlement and port, and in the mid-20th century the space centre project began to take shape, transforming the local economy and identity. The space centre began operations in the 1960s, becoming a defining feature of Kourou.

Economy and demographics: Kourou has a population in the tens of thousands, with the space centre accounting for a substantial share of employment and economic activity. Other local sectors include fishing, forestry, commerce, and tourism, particularly related to natural areas and nearby islands.

Geography and climate: The municipality lies in a tropical rainforest region with a hot, humid climate and substantial rainfall year-round. The surrounding landscape includes coastal beaches, river estuaries, and extensive forested areas.

Notable sites: The Guiana Space Centre is the principal landmark. The Îles du Salut, a group of offshore islands once used as a penal colony, are accessible from the coast near Kourou and form a popular excursion site. The area also offers biodiversity and riverine environments characteristic of French Guiana.

Transport: Kourou is connected to Cayenne and other towns by road, with access to regional air travel and services related to the space centre.