The Guianas are embedded in the largest stretch of tropical forest on earth, the Amazon, in Northern South America. The three countries forming the Guianas - Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana - have more than 85% of their political territories covered by a pristine forest, ca. 50 million ha. It is estimated that between 15.000 and 18.000 plant species occur in the area, ca. 4500 of which are tree species.