Kourou
Decide whether to visit or live in Kourou, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Monday, October 19, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Kourou?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Generally suitable with routine precautions
New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- No high-severity wording detected in the supplied advisory
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- High level of crime and insecurity compared to the rest of France's departments
- Average of two armed robberies a day in Kourou
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Kourou month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Kourou are typically August, September and October, with average daytime highs around 30–31°C. September is usually the warmest month (average high 31°C), June the coldest (average low 23°C), and May the wettest (about 692 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.4 | 24.0 | 366 | 8.6 |
| February | 27.4 | 24.0 | 329 | 7.8 |
| March | 27.9 | 24.4 | 290 | 8.8 |
| April | 27.9 | 24.2 | 541 | 7.6 |
| May | 27.8 | 24.0 | 692 | 6.9 |
| June | 27.9 | 23.4 | 563 | 8.3 |
| July | 28.6 | 23.5 | 337 | 9.9 |
| August | 29.7 | 23.9 | 180 | 10.9 |
| September | 30.5 | 24.5 | 86 | 11.1 |
| October | 30.4 | 25.0 | 93 | 10.8 |
| November | 29.1 | 24.7 | 254 | 9.7 |
| December | 27.9 | 24.0 | 416 | 8.2 |
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People and places shaping Kourou
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Sunday, October 4, 2026Past and future events in Kourou
Upcoming
No future event in Kourou currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Fire of 2006
A fire rendered 55 people homeless in the quartier Saramaka along the river in Kourou.
- Protest march in 2006
A march protesting the high level of insecurity felt by most of the population was held in Kourou on 27 October 2006.
- Expedition of 1763
Around 10,000 to 12,000 people settled in Kourou as part of a massive colonization expedition commanded by Choiseul.
Sources checked (2)
Interactive geography
See Kourou in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · OverviewKourou, in brief
Kourou is a commune located in French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France in South America. Situated at the mouth of the Kourou River where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 60 km northwest of Cayenne, the town is the main administrative district in the region and serves as a vital geographic anchor.
Gateway to the cosmos
Positioned just behind and outside the town limits sits the Guiana Space Centre, functioning as the primary spaceport for France and the European Space Agency. This high-technology hub initiates complex space missions, causing partial closures of the town and nearby islands during rocket launches.
Energy on the savanna
Powering regional sustainability, the Kourou solar power plant was constructed in 2010 on the Aubanèle Savannah. This installation holds the distinction of being the largest solar power plant located across Overseas France.
Commerce and community shores
The economy and daily life interlace with rich multi-ethnic demographics spanning indigenous Kalina, Creoles, Maroons, European arrivals, and international neighbors like Brazilians and Surinamese. Local trade hubs feature shopkeepers often facing security challenges, while waterside areas foster tourism and recreation around aquatic lakes like Bois Diable, Marie-Claire, and Bois Chaudat, alongside journeys departing from the port toward the historic Salvation Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kourou
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Kourou located and what are its coordinates?
Kourou is situated in French Guiana at geographic coordinates 5.1628, -52.6427, with an elevation monitored in regional geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Kourou?
Kourou has a recorded population of approximately 24,029 and observes the America/Cayenne time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Kourou?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Kourou include FR-GF, with EUR used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Kourou?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Kourou, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.