The canton of Mana (French: Canton de Mana) was one of the former cantons of the Guyane department in French Guiana. Located in the arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in the northwestern part of the territory, the canton consisted of the communes of Mana and Awala-Yalimapo, with its administrative seat in Mana. The canton had a population of 10,661 in 2012. The canton was abolished on 31 December 2015 as part of the territorial reorganisation of French Guiana.
Canton of Mana | |
|---|---|
Former canton | |
 Location of the Canton of Mana in French Guiana | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas region and department | French Guiana{{{region}}} |
| No. of communes | 2 |
| Disbanded | 31 December 2015 |
| Seat | Mana |
Area | 6,520 km2 (2,520 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | 10,661 |
| • Density | 1.64/km2 (4.23/sq mi) |
History
editThe territory of the canton of Mana was historically inhabited by the indigenous Kalina people prior to French colonisation.[1] European settlement in the area expanded during the nineteenth century following the establishment of the commune of Mana in 1828 under the direction of Anne-Marie Javouhey, founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny.[2]
The settlement was established as an agricultural colony along the Mana River. Following the abolition of slavery in the French colonies in 1848, Mana became a settlement area for formerly enslaved people and developed as an important agricultural centre in western French Guiana, particularly through rice cultivation and cattle raising.[1]
The canton later functioned as an administrative division of the Guyane department within the arrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and included the communes of Mana and Awala-Yalimapo.[3][4]
As part of the territorial reorganisation of French Guiana, the cantons of the department were abolished on 31 December 2015 following the implementation of Law No. 2011-884 of 27 July 2011, which created the territorial collective of French Guiana. The territory of the former canton became part of the new electoral sections established under the reorganisation.[5][6]
Demographics
editAccording to the Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (INSEE), the canton of Mana had a population of 10,661 in 2012.[3]
Administration
edit| Term | Name | Party | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 1952 | Maurice Demougeot | [7] | ||
| 1952 | 1955 | ||||
| 1955 | 1979 | Paule Berthelot | DVD then UDR then RPR | First women elected to the General Council | [8] |
| 1979 | 1985 | Emmanuel Bellony | RPR | President of the General Council (1982-1985) | [9] |
| 1985 | 1998 | Georges Patient | DVG | Mayor of Mana (1989-2007)
President of the CC de l'Ouest guyanais (1994-2001) Senator (2008-present) |
[10] |
| 1998 | 2004 | Joseph Pavant | Independent | [11] | |
| 2004 | 2015 | Albéric Benth | PSG | Vice-president of the General Council (2008-2011) | [12] |
References
edit- 1 2 "Mana, une terre d'art et d'histoire" [Mana, a land of art and history]. Ouest Guyane (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "French Guiana". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Populations légales 2012: 973 Guyane" [Legal population 2012: 973 French Guiana] (PDF) (in French). INSEE. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Commune Mana". Base nationale sur l'intercommunalité et autres collectivités (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "LOI n° 2011-884 du 27 juillet 2011 relative aux collectivités territoriales de Guyane et de Martinique (1)" [Law No. 2011-884 of 27 July 2011 relating to the territorial authorities of French Guiana and Martinique (1)] (in French). Journal officiel de la République française. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2026 – via Légifrance.
- ↑ "Quel est le statut de la Guyane et de la Martinique ?" [What is the status of French Guiana and Martinique?]. Vie-publique (in French). French Republic. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Mission gratuite en Guyane française de Maurice Demougeot, négociant en bois à Bordeaux, d'études des bois guyanais en vue de leur utilisation dans la tonnellerie, en particulier de l'angélique" [A free mission to French Guiana by Maurice Demougeot, a timber merchant from Bordeaux, to study Guianese woods for use in cooperage, particularly angelica.] (in French). Archives nationales d'outre-mer. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Alexandre, Rodolphe (7 February 2024). "Le PSG et les élections (1957-1961)" [The PSG and the Elections (1957-1961)]. shs.cairn.info (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Zone industrielle de Degrad des Cannes, échange de terrains entre le Département et l'État : réponse d'Emmanuel Bellony, président du Conseil général aux propositions du directeur départemental de l'équipement" [Degrad des Cannes Industrial Zone, Land Exchange Between the Department and the State: Response from Emmanuel Bellony, President of the General Council, to the proposals of the Departmental Director of Public Works] (in French). FranceArchives. 4 September 1982. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "M. Georges Patient, sénateur de la Guyane (Guyane) - Sénat". www.senat.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
- ↑ "M. Joseph PAVANT - Retraité - Biographie mise à jour le 26 mars 2004 - LesBiographies.com". www.lesbiographies.com. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ↑ "Blada.com - Albéric Benth,Conseiller Général du Canton de Mana". www.blada.com (in French). Retrieved 2020-07-23.