Saint-Élie (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃t‿eli]; French Guianese Creole: Sentéli) is a commune of French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France in South America. In 1930, Saint-Élie became capital of the Inini territory.^[3] From 1953 onward, the commune was called Centre. In 1969, it was renamed to Saint-Élie.

In 1873, gold was discovered in Saint-Élie. The mines were in the middle of the rain forest with no river connection to the outside world. In 1884 construction began on a Decauville railway line to Gare Tigre near Saint-Nazaire in order to access the Sinnamary River.^[4]

The railway line needed frequent repairs, and had over 100 bridges. In 1990, the railway line was abandoned when a road opened.^[5] The roads ends near Saint-Nazaire, and a 45-minute ferry to Petit-Saut Dam is needed to reach the outside world.^[6]

Gold is still the backbone of the economy. The gold mines are currently being exploited by Newmont Mining Corporation.^[7] In 1989, construction started on the Petit-Saut Dam to produce hydroelectric power. The dam was completed in 1994.^[8]

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.^[9]

• Saint-Nazaire

• Communes of French Guiana