Cayenne

Cayenne is the capital of an overseas department of France that lies on the shoulder of South America, so the euro is the currency and the rainforest begins at the edge of town. Creole houses in faded colours stand around the Place des Palmistes under its royal palms, and Fort Cépérou on the hill above dates from the founding in 1643. The market sells Hmong vegetables from the inland villages beside Brazilian and West African produce. Ninety-six per cent of the territory is still forest. The department has been part of France since 1946 and votes in every French election.