Mana (French pronunciation: [mana]; French Guianese Creole: Mannan) is a commune and town in French Guiana. It was founded on 16 August 1828 by Sister Anne-Marie Javouhey.[3] It borders the river Mana, from where it gets its name; and is nearby the river Maroni. Mana is the primary producer of rice in French Guiana, which it exports to Suriname.[4]

Mana
The church of Saint-Joseph of Mana
The church of Saint-Joseph of Mana
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana
Location of the commune (in red) within French Guiana
Location of Mana
Map
Coordinates: 5°40′11″N 53°46′41″W / 5.6697°N 53.778°W / 5.6697; -53.778
CountryFrance
Overseas region and departmentFrench Guiana
ArrondissementSaint-Laurent-du-Maroni
IntercommunalityOuest Guyanais
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Albéric Benth[1]
Area
1
6,333 km2 (2,445 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
11,764
 • Density1.9/km2 (4.8/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−03:00
INSEE/Postal code
97306 /97360
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

On 31 December 1988, about 3% of the territory of Mana was detached and became the commune of Awala-Yalimapo.[5] Awala-Yalimapo is inhabited by Galibi Amerindians.[6]

History edit

The first settlement of people from Jura failed in alcoholism and disease. In 1828, the Ministry of the Navy and Colonies sent Sister Anne-Marie Javouhey to colonize the area.[3] Javouhey set out to build a viable community based on agriculture and invited black traders to settle,[7] which was not the white colony as the Ministry envisioned. When 20 escaped slaves settled in the area, she bought them from their owners.[3]

In 1833, Governor Jean Jubelin [fr] visited Mana, and appreciated the efforts and progress. Jubelin arranged for orphans to be sent to Mana and the establishment of a leper colony in Acarouany. In 1838, the colony faced a manpower shortage. Javouhey suggested to educate and train 3,000 children of the slaves. The government refused to subsidize the plan, and Javouhey left in 1843.[3]

On 15 October 1950, Sister Anne-Marie Javouhey was beatified by Pope Pius XII.[8]

In 1978, Javouhey was founded as the second Hmong resettlement village in French Guiana. The village is on a former agricultural colony founded by Anne-Marie Javouhey.[9]

Population edit

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1967 875—    
1974 1,063+2.82%
1982 1,429+3.77%
1990 4,945+16.79%
1999 5,445+1.08%
2007 8,256+5.34%
2012 9,334+2.48%
2017 10,894+3.14%
Source: INSEE[10]

Nature edit

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.[11]

The Amana Nature Reserve has been established in 1998 to protect the leatherback turtle. The reserve covers 14,800 hectares.[12]

Economy edit

The economy of the area is based on agriculture,[4] and gold mining.[13] Mines in the commune include Coulor,[14] and Délices.[15]

Villages edit

Notable people edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Guide Mana". Petit Futé (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b "La filière rizicole de Guyane : évolution et perspectives" (PDF). Institut d'Emission des Départements d'Outre-Mer (in French). 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Guyane, Historie". Petit Futé (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Guide Awala-Yalimapo". Petit Futé (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Mana, précurseurse depuis toujours". Le Jour du Seigneur (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  8. ^ ""Anne-Marie Javouhey"". Pontifical Missionaries Societies (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Des Hmongs en Guyane". ANAI Asso.org (National Association of Elders and Friends of Indochina) (in French). Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  10. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  11. ^ "Historique Réserve Naturelle La Trinité" (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  12. ^ "L'Amana Réserve naturelle nationale". L'Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel (in French). Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  13. ^ Farand, Chloé (27 April 2018). "Paris to decide fate of 'mega' gold mine in forests of French Guiana". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Permis Exclusif de Recherches dit "Permis Coulor" dans le département de Guyane Compagnie Minière Espérance" (PDF). economie.gouv.fr (in French). 27 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Auplata annonce la signature d'un protocole pour l'acquisition de la mine de Délices en Guyane Française" (PDF). Auplata Mining Group (in French). Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Mme Chantal Berthelot". Assemblée nationale (in French). Retrieved 19 February 2021.

External links edit