Final answer:
The statement regarding the French Institute of Tropical America in French Guiana studying soil and ocean water is false, based on the context provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "The French Institute of Tropical America, which is located in French Guiana, studies soil and ocean water" is false. However, the information provided about French Guiana highlights the presence of the European Space Agency's launch center due to the region's favorable climate and launch conditions. Economic activities such as fishing, agriculture, and logging affect the region's environment, contributing to issues like erosion and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, the cultural dynamics have been shaped by colonial history, with plantation agriculture and the slave trade being significant factors in the past. Today, bauxite mining and the discovery of oil are important economic contributors, and many people engage in subsistence agriculture. Although the statement may suggest a scientific institution, the provided text does not confirm the existence of the French Institute of Tropical America focusing on soil and ocean water studies.