Guadeloupe

Overview

The butterfly shaped main islands of Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre and Grande Terre are the main destinations of the small archipelago. Visitors will find beaches of many hues including white, brown and black. Guadeloupe is a department of France whose administrative capital is Basse- terre on Basse-Terre. Colonial buildings can be found as can a 17th century cathedral, the ruined Fort Louis Fort Delgrès, hot springs and local mineral water source. Grande Terre holds fewer old buildings due to earthquake and hurricane damage but the Place de la Victoire has some and was the location for the guillotine.

Water sports for every ability abound, but local restrictions on types of diving and fishing should be noted. The land also offers a great deal to see in the form of walking with hundreds of km of trails in the National Park of Guadeloupe. Exploration can allow the visitor a glimpse through rainforest to waterfalls and lakes. The intrepid may prefer mountaineering or canyoning in the Plaines or Gallion rivers or even kayaking through the mangroves. This is without forgetting golf, whale watching and surfing.

History

Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin). Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles and its northern portion is named Saint- Martin and is part of Guadeloupe.