Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is an overseas department and region of the French Republic in the Caribbean. It is made up of six main islands—Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and two Îles des Saintes—along with many smaller islets. The capital city is Basse-Terre, but the largest city is Les Abymes, and the main business area is Pointe-à-Pitre.

Like other areas of this kind, Guadeloupe is a full part of France. People from any part of the European Union can live and work there, and they use the euro as money. However, it is not part of the area where passport checks are not needed between countries, called the Schengen Area.

In the past, Christopher Columbus visited Guadeloupe in 1493 and named it after Guadalupe, Cáceres. Today, many people speak Guadeloupean Creole, called "Kréyòl Gwadloup", but the official language is French.

Etymology

The islands were called Karukera, meaning 'The Island of Beautiful Waters,' by the Indigenous people who spoke Arawakan.

Christopher Columbus named the islands Santa María de Guadalupe in 1493 after a special shrine to the Virgin Mary in Spain. When France took control, the name stayed but changed a little, and today people often call the islands Gwada.

History

The islands of Guadeloupe were first home to Indigenous peoples of the Americas, with the Arawak people being the first known group. Later, the Kalina-Carib peoples arrived around 1400.

Christopher Columbus was the first European to see Guadeloupe in 1493. The French began settling the islands in 1626, bringing farmers and later enslaved Africans to work on sugar plantations. This led to great wealth for the French but also to suffering for many people.

During the 1700s, Guadeloupe changed hands between France and Britain several times. The French Revolution brought new laws, but conflicts continued. Slavery was finally abolished in 1848, though freed people still faced many challenges.

In the 20th century, Guadeloupe became an overseas department of France in 1946. The island has seen movements for more independence and autonomy, with some areas voting to separate in 2003. In 2009, strikes over low wages and high living costs led to violence and affected tourism.

Geography

Guadeloupe is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is made up of more than 12 islands and many small rocks. The two biggest islands are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Basse-Terre is mountainous, while Grande-Terre is mostly flat. Other islands in Guadeloupe include Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and the Îles des Saintes.

The islands have many different landscapes, from volcanic hills to white sand beaches. Some parts are covered in thick forests, while others have dry coastal areas. Guadeloupe is known for its beautiful waterfalls, especially on the island of Basse-Terre.

Geology

Basse-Terre is a volcanic island, which means it was formed by ancient volcanic activity. The islands sit on the edge of the Caribbean Plate, where it meets the Atlantic Plate. This is why the area sometimes experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity. The most famous volcano is La Grande Soufrière, which last erupted in 1976.

Climate

Guadeloupe has a tropical climate with two main seasons. The dry season, called “Lent,” runs from January to June. The wet season, called “winter,” is from July to December. The islands are sheltered from strong winds by their position in the Leeward Islands.

Flora

The islands have rich, green forests, especially on Basse-Terre. These forests include many tall trees and colorful plants. Grande-Terre has fewer forests, mostly cleared for farming. Different areas have different kinds of plants, from rainforests to dry coastal bushes.

Fauna

Guadeloupe does not have many native land animals, except for bats and some introduced animals like raccoons. The islands are home to beautiful birds, such as the purple-throated carib. The waters around the islands are full of sea life.

Environmental preservation

Guadeloupe’s natural areas have faced challenges from human activity, like farming and building. Efforts are being made to protect its forests, water, and wildlife. The Guadalupe National Park and parts of the islands are protected to help preserve these beautiful places.

Waterfalls

Guadeloupe has about 100 waterfalls. Some of the most popular ones are Acomat Falls, Carbet Falls, Crayfish Waterfall, and Lézarde Falls. All of these waterfalls are on the island of Basse-Terre.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is home to about 378,561 people. Most of them have Afro-Caribbean roots, but there are also smaller groups of European, Indian, Lebanese, Syrian, and Chinese people. There are also many people from Haiti living and working in Guadeloupe, especially in jobs like construction and selling goods on the streets. The main city and busy place in Guadeloupe is Pointe-à-Pitre, even though Basse-Terre is the official capital.

The number of people living in Guadeloupe has been slowly going down each year since 2013. Many people live close together because only a third of the land can be used for farming, and the mountains cannot be lived on. This makes the place very crowded compared to other parts of France.

In 2011, people in Guadeloupe lived on average to about 77 years if they were male and 83 years if they were female.

There are important health centers in Guadeloupe, such as the University Hospital Centre in Pointe-à-Pitre and other hospitals in different towns. The Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe in Pointe-à-Pitre works on important health research.

Governance

Guadeloupe is one of the French overseas departments, meaning it is both a region and a department of France. Like other French overseas departments, such as Martinique, La Réunion, Mayotte, and French Guiana, Guadeloupe is part of the European Union. The people of Guadeloupe are French citizens with full rights.

The government of Guadeloupe has separate councils for local decisions. The Departmental Council handles things like schools and local roads, while the Regional Council takes care of secondary education, transportation, and economic development. Guadeloupe also elects representatives to the French National Assembly and Senate.

Administrative divisions

Guadeloupe is divided into 32 communes, each with its own mayor and council. These local governments manage things like water and public records.

Geopolitics

Guadeloupe is located in the middle of the Caribbean archipelago, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This position helps France reach parts of the eastern American continent. Guadeloupe and Martinique together have a large area of ocean where France can fish and study underwater life, like humpback whales and coral reefs. Guadeloupe also helps France take part in regional and international discussions.

Symbols and flags

As part of France, Guadeloupe uses the French tricolour as its flag and La Marseillaise as its anthem. There are also other flags used by some people in Guadeloupe, including a sun-based flag and flags used by independence movements.

Economy

The economy of Guadeloupe relies on tourism, farming, small factories, and services. The islands depend on money and supplies from France, and the government is the biggest employer. Many young people struggle to find jobs.

In 2017, Guadeloupe’s total economy was worth about €9.079 billion and grew by 3.4%. Each person’s share of this economy was €23,152. The islands brought in €3.019 billion from buying things and sent out €1.157 billion by selling things like bananas, sugar, and rum. In 2017, storms damaged the banana crops.

Tourism is very important, with many visitors coming from France and North America. More cruise ships are stopping in Guadeloupe, especially at the port in Pointe-à-Pitre. A popular TV show called Death in Paradise has helped bring more tourists. The show is filmed in Deshaies on Basse-Terre Island.

Farming used to focus on sugar cane, but now includes bananas, eggplant, guinnep, noni, sapotilla, giraumon squash, yam, gourd, plantain, christophene, cocoa, jackfruit, pomegranate, and flowers. Even though Guadeloupe grows many foods, it still needs to import most of its food from France.

Small factories in Guadeloupe make sugar, rum, solar energy products, cement, furniture, and clothing. Most manufactured goods and fuel are brought in from other places.

Culture

Language

Guadeloupe's official language is French, which almost everyone speaks. Most people also speak Guadeloupean Creole, a French-based creole language.

Guadeloupean Creole developed because people of different backgrounds needed a way to understand each other. It formed in the 17th century from a mix of languages and became common for many people to speak.

Religion

In 2020, about 96% of people in Guadeloupe were Christian. Most were Roman Catholic, with some Protestant groups. A small part of the population followed other beliefs or had no religion.

Literature

Guadeloupe has a rich history of writing. One famous writer, Saint-John Perse, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1960. Other well-known writers come from Guadeloupe or have Guadeloupean roots.

Music

Music and dancing are very important in Guadeloupe. The mix of African, French, and Indian cultures created unique styles like zouk music. Traditional music includes biguine, kadans, cadence-lypso, and gwo ka. Popular artists perform both local and international styles.

Traditional dress

Traditional dress in Guadeloupe comes from a mix of African, Asian, and European influences. Over time, clothing changed from simple fabrics during slavery to more elaborate costumes. Today, some people still wear traditional clothes for special events.

Gastronomy

Guadeloupean food mixes African, European, and Asian flavors. It uses local foods like plantains, okra, and seafood. Common dishes include fish blaff, dombrés, and colombo. Desserts and sweets are also popular, like blancmange and sorbets.

Festivities

During Christmas, families gather for chanté Nwel to sing carols. Later, preparations begin for the carnival, which happens in February or March. Carnival groups parade with music and costumes. After carnival, Easter celebrations include special meals with crab dishes like matété and calalou.

Sport

Guadeloupe loves cycling and has hosted the Tour de Guadeloupe since 1948. The island also has a big velodrome where many fans can watch races.

Football is also very popular there, and many great football players were born in Guadeloupe. Basketball, track and field, fencing, and rugby are also enjoyed by many people on the island. Guadeloupe has also hosted exciting events like the Karujet Race and the Route du Rhum sailing tournament.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe has several airports, with most international flights arriving at Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport. Boats and cruise ships often visit the islands, docking at ports in Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre.

In 2013, the local government decided to build a tramway in Pointe-à-Pitre. The first part of the tramway, connecting northern Abymes to downtown Pointe-à-Pitre, was planned to open by 2019. The second part, set to finish in 2023, would extend the tram to reach the university.

Education

The Guadeloupe academic region has one main school system. It employs many teachers and had a big budget for the year 2018–2019. There are many schools, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, some of which are private.

During the 2018–2019 school year, thousands of students attended schools across Guadeloupe. The academy is divided into 12 districts grouped into 5 main areas.

Guadeloupe is also home to two campuses of the University of the French Antilles, located in Saint-Claude and Pointe-à-Pitre. There are student residences near each campus, and many places for apprentices to learn skills. There is also a special school for arts and a few schools that give people another chance to finish their education.

Infrastructure

Energy

Guadeloupe has lots of chances to use clean energy from the sun, wind, and sea. But in 2018, most of its energy still came from plants using things like wood waste, coal, and oil.

There are plans to use more clean energy by 2020. One big plant that burns coal will change to use wood waste instead. This will help Guadeloupe use less oil and coal and make cleaner air.

Guadeloupe already uses many ways to make electricity. There are places that use the leftover parts from crushing sugar cane to make energy, wind farms on different islands, and a special plant that uses steam from underground to make power. There are also projects to use ocean waves and sun power to create electricity. Some electricity also comes from dams built on rivers.

Drinking water supply

Most of the drinking water in Guadeloupe comes from the island of Basse Terre. It is taken from rivers and springs, with a small amount coming from deep underground wells on other islands.

Getting clean water is hard because the old pipes are in bad shape. This causes water to leak out and sometimes there isn’t enough water. This problem is biggest on the island of Grande-Terre, affecting homes and farms. Many of the places that clean wastewater don’t meet safety rules.

Police and crime

Guadeloupe has more violence than other parts of France. This is partly because many people there do not have jobs, which makes some turn to crime. Most everyday life is peaceful, but some violence happens because of arguments or the trade of illegal items.

To help keep people safe, there are about 2,000 police officers on the island. They include special groups like the National Gendarmerie and a boat for patrolling the waters.