This archipelago in the Lesser Antilles is a part of the overseas territories of France and is thus, every bit, French. Shortly after the discovery of this quiet group of islands, the first Frenchmen established their power via trading companies, eventually relinquishing it to the French crown. After endless invasions and social changes, it became the Guadeloupe of today.
What Ocean Is Guadeloupe in?
Situated in the Lesser Antilles, neighboring Dominica, Montserrat, and another French overseas department, Martinique, Guadeloupe is found in the Atlantic Ocean, just at the edges of the eastern Caribbean. Guadeloupe is made up of twin islands that are separated by a narrow channel called the Salee River.
Basse-Terre, to the west, faces the eastern Caribbean Sea, while the Grande-Terre to the east, faces the great Atlantic Ocean. This geographical location has gifted Guadeloupe all its amazing beauty. From the natural land features, like rich flora and fauna, to the amazing beaches, and dive-worthy waters.
Where in the Caribbean Is Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe straddles across the eastern Caribbean, along the northeastern reaches of the Lesser Antilles Arc. The island, or rather the island group neighbors territories of other European powers, like the British’s Montserrat, French Martinique, and the sovereign island of Dominica.
Its position in the Caribbean has given this French territory all its interesting characteristics, like the juxtaposition of the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Caribbean to the west, making an interesting set of beaches and land features that seem to draw tourists in.
In fact, the French territory isn’t a single island, but a group. Primarily made up of the twin main islands that form a butterfly-like shape from above, Basse-Terre faces the Caribbean, while Grand-Terre faces the Atlantic Ocean. Other smaller islands are the Marie-Galante, La Desirade, and Iles des Sainte often called Les Saints.
Where Is Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles?
Guadeloupe is located at the northeastern part of the Lesser Antilles just about the Republic of Dominica, one of the few sovereign island nations in the area. The island is also 120 km or 74 miles north of another French territory, Martinique which is considered at the geographical heart of the Antilles.
Guadeloupe lies at the edges of the Caribbean, just stone-throw south of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is made up of two main islands, and five to ten other smaller islands that all contribute to the French territory’s enduring charm.
Is Guadeloupe Close to the Equator?
Guadeloupe is 1,806.92 km or 1,122.77 miles north of the equator, putting Guadeloupe in the northern hemisphere. Because of this, Guadeloupe receives trade winds that blow from the northeast from January to mid-April, also called the archipelago’s dry season. The winds the sweep through Guadeloupe is constantly steady with moderate intensity, while it gets a bit stronger towards the end of the season.
What Countries Surround Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe is technically surrounded by water as it is an archipelago, made up of seven islands that straddle across the northeastern Lesser Antilles. Its immediate neighbors are the British overseas territory of Montserrat to the northwest of the twin main islands, Antigua and Barbuda also rest further northeast of Montserrat. and Dominica, a sovereign island nation to the south. Martinique, its French overseas department sister, lies 120 km or 74 miles to the south.
You can easily get from any of these islands to Guadeloupe by means of water transport like a ferry, or by plane, via charter flights offered by regional airlines. Guadeloupe’s location and neighboring islands make it easy to reach the island, allowing for an unspoiled Caribbean adventure.
How Many Islands Is Guadeloupe Made Up of?
Some accounts say that the island is made up of 7 islands, some say it has twelve, however, the seven islands are considered the main points of the archipelago. The two main islands are Basse-Terre, and Grand-Terre, which form a butterfly-like shape when viewed from above. The islands are separated by a narrow channel called the Salee River.
Other smaller islands are the Marie-Galante, and the Le Desirade, an interesting island that is characterized by a slanted limestone plateau. The Iles de Petite-Terre, comprised of two islands, Terre de Haut, and Terre de Bas.
Les Saintes is a smaller archipelago within the Guadeloupe that is comprised of eight islands of which two are inhabited. There are several another smaller islands around, namely, Tête à l’Anglais, Îlet à Kahouanne, Îlet à Fajou, Îlet Macou, Îlet aux Foux, Îlets de Carénage, La Biche, Îlet Crabière, Îlets à Goyaves, Îlet à Cochons, Îlet à Boissard, Îlet à Chasse and Îlet du Gosier.
What Are the 7 Islands of Guadeloupe?
The seven islands are considered the main points of the archipelago. The two main islands are Basse-Terre, and Grand-Terre, which form a butterfly-like shape when viewed from above. The islands are separated by a narrow channel called the Salee River.
Other smaller islands are the Marie-Galante, and the Le Desirade, an interesting island that is characterized by a slanted limestone plateau. The Iles de Petite-Terre, comprised of two islands, Terre de Haut, and Terre de Bas.
How Many Miles Is Guadeloupe?
The combination of each of the island’s landmasses makes up Guadeloupe’s total landmass. Basse-Terre contributes the majority of the archipelago’s total landmass with a measurement of 847.8 sq. km or 327.33 sq mi.
The second-largest, Grande-Terre follows with a landmass of 586.7 sq. km. or 226.52 sq mi, followed by Marie-Galante with 158.1 sq km or 61 sq mi, and Le Desirade with 20.64 sq km or 7.96, and then followed by smaller islands like the Iles de Saintes. The island’s total landmass is approximately 1,628 sq km or 628.57 sq mi.
What Is the Capital of Guadeloupe?
Basse-Terre, the archipelago’s largest island, is also the administrative capital. The city of Basse-Terre founded in 1643, lies at the southwestern coast of the island, bordered by the sea, and sits at the foot of the island’s highest peak, Soufriere.
Basse-Terre and its town are Guadeloupe’s commercial hub and used to be the largest city until the late 18th century when it was overshadowed by the town of Pointe-à-Pitre on the twin-island of Grande-Terre.
Basse-Terre has a marina that receives cruise ships and has a ferry service to the Îles des Saintes, and other islands across the archipelago
The city is highly urbanized, but there are still some farmlands in the northeast and northwest reaches of the island.
Basse-Terre’s several districts are: Agincourt (also Saint-Claude), Bas-du-Bourg, Carmel, Desmarais (also Saint-Claude) Guillaud, Morne-Chaulet, Morne-à-Vaches (also Saint-Claude), Petit-Paris, Pintade, Rivière-des-Peres, La Rue-Maillan, Saint-François, Sur-le Morne, and Versailles.
What Is the Administrative Center of Guadeloupe?
The archipelago’s administrative capital is the city of Basse-Terre in the island and commune of the same name. The city of Basse-Terre founded in 1643, lies at the southwestern coast of the island, bordered by the sea and right at the foot of the archipelago’s highest peak, Soufriere.
The city is highly urbanized, one of Guadeloupe’s metropolitan areas. However, just outside the city limits, there are still some farmlands in the northeast and northwest reaches of the island.
Basse-Terre’s several districts are: Agincourt (also Saint-Claude), Bas-du-Bourg, Carmel, Desmarais (also Saint-Claude) Guillaud, Morne-Chaulet, Morne-à-Vaches (also Saint-Claude), Petit-Paris, Pintade, Rivière-des-Peres, La Rue-Maillan, Saint-François, Sur-le Morne, and Versailles.
How Many People Live on the Island of Guadeloupe?
By the latest consensus in 2020, the total number of inhabitants of the island is estimated at around 400,124 people, in the middle of the year. The latest report is only a 0.02% increase from 2019’s 400,056. The archipelago’s demographic is made up of 75% Black or Mulatto, 11% White, 9% Tamil or East Indian, 3% Lebanese and Syrians, and 2% other, mostly made up of Chinese and other East Asian people.
These numbers, however, are just estimates as the French government doesn’t hold consensus and keep records of its population’s ethnicity. The varied ethnicities present in the archipelago are a result of years of colonialism, slavery, and immigration that has shaped modern-day Guadeloupe.
What Is Another Name for Guadeloupe?
The Carib people who have invaded the island and decimated the native Arawaks before the occupation of the French called Guadeloupe “Karukera” or “island of beautiful waters”. Currently, the island is also aptly nicknamed the “Butterfly Island” because of its butterfly shape when viewed from above.
The archipelago is officially named Guadeloupe and is called as such internationally by other countries. However, it is also called “Gwadloup”, in Guadeloupean Creole French.
What Is the Motto of Guadeloupe?
Being an overseas department and territory of France, Guadeloupe has the French motto of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” which translates to “Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood”. This also applies to all of France’s overseas, territories and regions as they are subject to French governance, laws, and economy.
What Is the Symbol of Guadeloupe?
Being a territory of France, Guadeloupe has very few national symbols of its own. Therefore some of the following symbols that the archipelago use are that of France. However, there is one popular symbol that is considered to be the official logo of Guadeloupe. It consists of a golden sun and bird placed diagonally across a green and blue square.
Additionally, many of France’s overseas departments have unofficial coats of arms. Guadeloupe’s features a shield with bands that are blue at the top and black at the bottom. The black field bears a golden sun and sugar cane tree while the blue field bears three fleurs-de-lis.
What Is the Official Flag of Guadeloupe?
As an overseas territory of France, Guadeloupe’s flag is the French official flag, also called the Drapeau Tricolore, or the Tricolor Flag, symbolizing the values that united the French republic.
Apart from the French tricolor flag, Guadeloupe also has its regional and unofficial flag often hoisted alongside the French tricolor flag. One regional flag comprises a regional logo superimposed on a white background. Another unofficial flag consists of two horizontal bands of red or black at the bottom, and blue. The red or black band features a golden sun with green sugar cane, while the blue band features three fleurs-de-lis.
Does Guadeloupe Have a Flag?
Guadeloupe doesn’t have an official flag of its own but has adopted the French national flag, also known as the French Tricolor flag. However, the archipelago has unofficial regional flags that are often hoisted alongside the tricolor flag.
One flag depicts a regional logo superimposed on a white background. Another one consists of two horizontal bands of red or black at the bottom, and blue. The red or black band features a golden sun with green sugar cane, while the blue band features three fleurs-de-lis.
What Does Guadeloupe Flag Look Like?
Guadeloupe official flag is the French national flag, as an overseas territory of France, it has adopted the usage of the Drapeau Tricolor or the Tricolor Flag. The French flag comprises bands of equal sizes in three different colors, blue, white, and red, respectively. Symbolizes the values that united the French republic, “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” which translates to Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood.
However, the archipelago has unofficial regional flags that are often hoisted alongside the tricolor flag. One flag depicts a regional logo superimposed on a white background. Another one consists of two horizontal bands of red or black at the bottom, and blue. The red or black band features a golden sun with green sugar cane, while the blue band features three fleurs-de-lis.
What Do the Colors of the Guadeloupe Flag Mean?
Since Guadeloupe is a territory of France, its official flag is the French national flag, or the Tricolor Flag. The French flag comprises bands of equal sizes in three different colors, blue, white, and red, respectively. Symbolizes the values that united the French republic, “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” which translates to Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood.
However, the most used unofficial flag of Guadeloupe, often hoisted alongside the French tricolor flag consists of two horizontal bands of red or black at the bottom, and blue. The red or black band features a golden sun with green sugar cane, while the blue band features three fleurs-de-lis.
What Country Owns the Guadeloupe Islands?
It is not owned but rather governed, and controlled by France. Guadeloupe has been one of colonial France’s territories in the Caribbean since the onset of the conquest of the new world. The archipelago has been a settlement, a colony, and currently a department of France, subject to its control.
Guadeloupe has been France’s overseas territory since 1946, after the Second World War. Being an overseas department of France, the archipelago is practically the same as the departments in metropolitan France. This also means that Guadeloupeans are French, and are citizens of the European Union.
Why Did Guadeloupe Become French?
After the decimation of the native inhabitants, the French has settled on the archipelago, established a trading company, developed the lands, used slaves, was later claimed for the French crown. However, it was later occupied by the British in the mid-18th century, later reclaimed by France after four years, and then occupied again later in the same century.
It was retaken by the French revolutionists at the beginning of the 19th century and was under the rule of Napoleon I. It was again, occupied by the British for the last time in 1810 and was later restored to France in 1816.
Slavery was finally abolished in 1848, under Napoleon III, which was considered to be the archipelago’s most significant development in the 19th century. However, relative peace and development were hindered due to Napoleon III’s abolishment of Universal Suffrage.
Later in the 20th century, the turmoil once again ravaged the contemporary world because of the two world wars that have put the French Republic and all its territories at great risk. But, even beyond the turmoil of history and development, Guadeloupe, along with a slew of other territories has seen development. After the Second World War, in 1946, Guadeloupe officially became one of France’s overseas departments and territories.
Why Was Guadeloupe Important to France?
Guadeloupe’s plantation, especially its sugarcane production, and other agricultural exports are important to France, as the archipelago, along with the rest of its overseas territories in tropical regions supply mainland France’s agricultural produce that can’t be grown and harvested in Europe.
Apart from its export, Guadeloupe and Martinique were important locations for France’s trade in the west indie’s which has significantly boosted the colonial power’s economy back in the colonial time. Now, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and the rest of the French Caribbean serve as agricultural export hubs of the country, and the French’s top tourist spots.
What Nationality Is Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe is one of France’s overseas departments, with the same status and powers as the departments in metropolitan France. This means Guadeloupe is French by all intents and purposes. Guadeloupe is not a separate country or state it is in France.
Guadeloupeans are by all mean French in citizenship and is subject to the legalities and rights promulgated by the French government. This also denotes that Guadeloupeans are citizens of the European Union, and Guadeloupe use the Euro as the official currency.
Are People from Guadeloupe French Citizens?
Being citizens of a French overseas department and territory, Guadeloupeans are essentially French, subject to the legalities and rights of French citizenship, including citizenship to the European Union.
Is Guadeloupe an Independent or Dependent Country?
Guadeloupe used to be a dependency of Martinique some time from 1674 to 1775, which was ruled under the French crown after being passed from chartered companies since the establishment of the colonies.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago and commune within the French Republic. The Caribbean archipelago is not an independent country in any shape or form. Guadeloupe has been an overseas department of France since after the Second World War.
Is Guadeloupe a French Colony?
After being inhabited and heavily defended by the Taino or the Carib people, the French occupied the island in 1635. Headed by a couple of Frenchmen who have established a settlement and a trading company, Leonard de L’Olive and Jean Duplessis d’Ossonville developed the colony of Guadeloupe. It was only in 1640 that the French colonists decimated the Carib people and began developing the colony.
After the institutionalization of the trade and use of slaves, helped the colony to flourish and develop. After being headed by several companies, the governance of Guadeloupe was then passed to the authority of the French crown and became a dependency of Martinique, which was ruled from there until 1775.
The archipelago has been a colony since the arrival of the first French colonists, until the multiple invasions and occupation of the British which was met with great loss. However, after several turmoils brought by the British, Guadeloupe was finally restored to France in 1816. The archipelago finally became an overseas department in 1946 and later became a region in 1974.
Is Guadeloupe a French Territory?
Guadeloupe is one of France’s overseas departments and regions and is considered a territory. Often called insular France, Guadeloupe along with Martinique, French Guiana, Mayotte, Reunion, make up the five overseas regions of France comprising the territories of France.
What Is the Relationship Between Guadeloupe and France?
France has occupied the archipelago of Guadeloupe even before its conception. From the colonial years to the multiple invasion and occupations of the British, to its current status as a department and region. Guadeloupe has always played an integral part in the French’s long history of its expansion and power.
Currently, Guadeloupe lives under the wing of France as one of its territories. Headed by a council that represents the central government and the president, currently Emmanuel Macron. Guadeloupe, and the rest of the French Caribbean function as mainland France’s biggest agricultural source, and some of its best tourist hotspots.
What Type of Government Does Guadeloupe Have?
Guadeloupe is headed by a regional council that represents the French central government. The regional council is a leading body elected every six years, helmed by a president and eight vice-presidents. The regional council manages secondary education, regional transportation, economic development, the environment, and infrastructure.
For the purpose of elections, like vote-counting and registration, Guadeloupe is divided into two arrondissements, Basse-Terre, and Point-a-Pitre, and 21 cantons. Guadeloupe local government is headquartered in the capital of Basse-Terre.
Is Guadeloupe in the EU?
Guadeloupe is one of France’s overseas departments, with the same status and powers as the departments in metropolitan France. Guadeloupeans are by all means French in citizenship and are subject to the legalities and rights promulgated by the French government. This also denotes that Guadeloupeans are citizens of the European Union, and use the Euro as the official currency.
Is Guadeloupe Part of Schengen?
Even though the archipelago is part of France, and has legal rights and status as the departments of Metropolitan Franc, it is an overseas territory, a peninsular part of France. This means that Guadeloupe isn’t situated within the Schengen Area and isn’t subject to its inclusivity.
If you plan to travel to any of France’s overseas territories or any of the EU’s outer territories, you don’t need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Consult your nearest French consuls or embassies about entering Guadeloupe to get the proper information.
Is St Barts Part of Guadeloupe?
Saint Barts or Saint-Barthelemy was a commune that formed part of Guadeloupe for many years. It voted secession out of Guadeloupe in 2003 and was made official in 2007 and became an overseas collectivity of France.
While the Martinique is still a part of France, it has power over its fiscal and legislative affairs. The president of France still sits at the helm of the collectivity represented by a local prefect. The government is headed by the president of the legislature alongside a council of 19 members.
Is Saint Martin Part of Guadeloupe?
Saint-Martin or Sint Maarten is an interesting little island. An island both controlled and divided by two European countries, France and the Netherlands. Saint Martin is an overseas collectivity of France and is not a part of Guadeloupe.
Saint Martin is an overseas collectivity of France just like St. Barts. However, the collectivity of Saint Martin occupies the northern two-thirds of the island, while the southern third is occupied and governed by the Dutch, called Sint Maarten.
Is Guadeloupe Part of French Polynesia?
French Polynesia is approximately 10,335 km or 6,422 miles from Guadeloupe and is another overseas collectivity of France. While the collectivity is not a part of Guadeloupe, both are part of France and are a single country.
French Polynesia lies at the Southern Pacific Ocean comprising over 118 dispersed islands that stretch over more than 2,000 km or 1,200 miles. The intricate arrangement of French Polynesia has provided France more territorial waters and exclusive economic zones because of its numerous islands, subdivided into the Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands, and the Tubuai Islands.
Is Guadeloupe a British Colony?
Guadeloupe was invaded and occupied by the British Empire on multiple occasions since the mid-18th century, later reclaimed by France after four years, and then occupied again later in the same century.
It was retaken by the French revolutionists at the beginning of the 19th century and was under the rule of Napoleon I. It was again occupied by the British for the last time in 1810 and was later restored to France in 1816.
Is Guadeloupe Part of Mexico?
During the colonization of the Caribbean by different European colonial powers, Mexico was controlled by Spain, and Guadeloupe was controlled by the French. While parts of Mexico face the Caribbean Sea, the Spanish colonists never fully claimed all of the Caribbean due to the strong presence of France, the British Empire, and the Dutch West Indies.
Thus, today, Mexico and Guadeloupe are two separate bodies, one is a fully independent nation, with several states that each has their own autonomy, while Guadeloupe is an overseas department of a European country.
