Guadeloupe
facts


Guadeloupe is the southernmost of the Leeward Islands, just north of the Windward Islands, where Martinique is found. The island of Dominica separates the two cousin islands, but they are often thought of as neighbors and grouped together anyway. In reality, Guadeloupe is made up of two islands that are joined by a very narrow channel of water called the Riviere Salee. The western island, Basse-Terre, is more mountainous than its eastern sidekick, Grande-Terre. In fact, Basse-Terre is home to an active volcano, La Soufriere, that is 4,800 feet high.

The Arawaks were the original inhabitants of Guadeloupe, but, like many of their Caribbean neighbors, were eventually eliminated by the invading Carib tribe in the ninth century. It was the Caribs who encountered Christopher Columbus when he "discovered" Guadeloupe on November 3, 1493. The Spanish found the island fairly inhospitable, especially given the "welcome" of the hostile Caribs, and it was the French who eventually settled here in the 17th century.

Guadeloupe, like Martinique, belongs to France, not as a colony, but as a full-fledged region. That means that, although the island is separated from the Eiffel Tower by thousands of miles, the citizens of Guadeloupe are French, with the same rights afforded a Parisian. The French franc is the official currency, French stamps are used for postage, and the "language of love" is the official tongue.

Pointe-a-Pitre lies almost smack dab in the middle of the two islands, on the western side of Grande-Terre. The city is not quite as charming as Fort-de-France, Martinique, but it does have its own unique pleasures for those adventurous enough to seek them.

Guadeloupe is not an island for the timid. The best attractions are hidden, and take time and effort to unearth. A day spent only in Pointe-a-Pitre will do little to educate you on Guadeloupe's beauty. If you take the ferry trips to Guadeloupe's smaller satellite islands, Iles des Saintes and Marie-Gallante, you will be enchanted.


Geography
Guadeloupe consists of the twin islands Basse-Terre to the west and Grand Terre to the east along with several smaller islands, all in the lesser Antilles chain. Guadeloupe is situated approximately 6,900 kilometers from France in the eastern Caribbean Sea and covers a combined land area of 687 sq. miles. Basse-Terre and Grand-Terre form a shape like a butterfly: together there maximum length north to south is 42 kilometers and maximum width east to west is 61 kilometers. Saint Barthelemy and the northern two-thirds of Saint Martin are island dependencies of Guadeloupe, lying 240 kilometers to the northwest.

Basse-Terre is a thickly forested mountainous island of volcanic origin. The Goyaves is the longest and main river and the coastline is indented with bays and fringed with beaches. Grand-Terr is a limestone island of coral origin with low hills rising to 150 meters and extending through the central and southern part of the island. Grand-Terre has an indented coast encircled by coral reefs and the River Salee, a narrow channel six kilometers long and five meters deep, lined with mangrove swamps separates the two islands. The capital is Basse-Terre.

History
Several attempts by Spain to colonize the island were repulsed by the Caribs who had already driven out the Arawaks from these islands. Finally, in 1626 the Spaniards were able to establish a settlement on the coast but they were soon driven off by the French who had also established a trading post in another area of the island.

In 1635 the French founded a colony and by 1674 Guadeloupe became part of France's domain. This period was followed by the establishment of sugar plantations and a sugar refinery. Shortly after 1794 the slaves were freed but this freedom was short-lived after they allegedly killed hundreds of white planters. Slavery was re-established in 1802 and lasted until 1848 when it was finally abolished with 93,000 slaves being freed.

Economy
Guadeloupe's economy is hinged on tourism and agriculture. Tourism is a US $500 million industry since the country distinguishes itself among its neighbors on account of the variety of activities available, the high quality of entertainment and other facilities. Major exports are bananas and sugar with the bulk of these going to France. Other exports include boats, flour, flowers, rum, melons, mineral water and electrical equipment. Though small the manufacturing sector is very vibrant and consists primarily of processed foods, rum, cement, building materials, boxes and plastics. Ship repair is also undertaken. A trade center was opened in 1994 in an effort to boost international trade. There is also an industrial park and free zone with special tax free status.

People & Culture
Most of Guadeloupe's population is black or mulatto except on the Isle des Saintes where the inhabitants are mostly white descendants of the French. French is the official language but a Creole dialect is widely spoken. More the three-quarters of the people are Catholic. Although this is a French island, its people, personality and culture are the result of a harmonious blending of European, African and East Indian origins. Islanders, many of whom are attractive examples of mixed origins, seem delightfully color blind. It is said that in Guadeloupe what counts is what is in one's heart, not the color of one's skin.

Places of Interest
Guadeloupe has a great deal to offer the sight seer. Point-a-Pitre, the island's main city is interesting to explore on foot. Among the many popular attractions are the open air marketplaces, the Musee Schoelcher, number 54: birthplace of Nobel prize-winning poet St. John Perse, Place de la Victoire, the Cathedrale, de St. Pierre et St.Paul. From Basse-Terre city there are spectacular views of the impressive dormant volcano La Soufriere.