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This work analyzes the geopolitical role of a bridge project, at the borders of Brazil and France (French Guiana), signed by their respective presidents in July 2005, during the celebrations of the Year of Brazil in France. The bridge will be built over the Oiapoque River, between the cities of Oiapoque (Amapá State) and Saint-Georges (French Guiana, the only ultramarine French territory located in South America). French interests in South America, along with the strategic location of Kourou (a center for launching French satellites in French Guiana), will be strengthen by the construction of the bridge, and a higher fluidity in the movement of goods and people between the port of Santana (Amapá) and French Guiana will be achieved. In the region, there are aggravated social problems for the two nations: the search for gold and jobs paid in Euro, the spreading of STDs related to prostitution and trafficking of drugs and young women. The bridge can collaborate to the social and economical development of the region, helping to solve social problems, and can act as a bridge, connecting two economic blocks in a globalized world: Mercosur and European Union.

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Maria Irene De Conte, graduated in Social Sciences by University of SÆo Paulo(USP) in 1981. Specialized in Globalization and International Relationship by University of SÆo Paulo(USP) in 2004. Master Degree in Political Geography by University of SÆo Paulo(USP) in 2008.

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