THE
BASICS
Guadeloupe is 1,845 miles from New York, 4,360
miles from Paris, 2,138 miles from Montreal, 310 miles from San Juan
and 125 miles from St. Barth. The western wing, Basse-Terre, is 312
square miles and the eastern wing, Grande-Terre, is 218 square miles.
The population is approximately 410,000 (1992 census), with about 50%
of the population still under 20 years of age. (The 1992 figure for
all of Guadeloupe, the offshore islands, and French St. Martin and St.
Barts is 450,000.)
CLIMATE
/ WHEN TO GO
The most common misconception about these
islands is that it must be much hotter in summer than it is during the
rest of the year. In fact, the average monthly temperatures remain
remarkably stable, varying by only about 5 degrees Fahrenheit
year-round. This stability can be attributed to the tradewinds (Les
Alizés) which bring refreshing breezes from the Northeast throughout
the year. Summer is actually a great time to visit the islands because
lodging rates are much lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants
are never crowded. Of course, winter and the Christmas/New Year
holidays are traditionally the most popular time to go. Most holiday
reservations are made months in advance.
December through May is considered the dry season, while June through
November is considered the more humid season. However, in our
experience, rainshowers or clear skies can occur at any time during
the year. In general, rainstorms pass quickly and the sun shines on
most days. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 72º
to 86º F and in inland areas, from 66º to 81º F. Naturally,
travelers will find more rain and cooler temperatures in the rain
forests and higher elevations. The warm coastal water temperatures
stay between 68º and 74º F. Hurricanes may occur any time from June
through November and, historically, the most likely time is during
early September. Progressive technology brings more sophisticated
storm warning systems every year. It is unusual for any one island to
be severely affected more than once or twice every 10 years and your
actual odds of experiencing a hurricane are very low. Some travelers
purchase trip cancellation insurance in advance of travel.
BEACHES
Guadeloupe is justifiably proud of its
spectacular beaches, most of which are well sheltered and wonderful
for swimming. The natural beaches, all beautiful to behold, range from
the surf-brushed dark sands of western Basse-Terre to the long white
stretches encircling Grande-Terre. A picnic on any one of them can
turn into a lifetime memory. Public beaches are free, though some may
charge for parking. Unlike hotel beaches, they have few facilities.
Hotels welcome non-guests but charge for changing facilities, beach
chairs and towels. The only clothing-optional beach is a small cove at
Plage Tarare near Pointe-des-Châteaux. As is true with
clothing-optional beaches everywhere, women should not arrive alone.
Topless sunning and swimming is more common at hotels than on village
beaches. Take your cue from how the locals are dressed.
UNIQUE
CHARACTERISTICS
Guadeloupe is a French island, yet its people, personality, culture
and mores 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 when it comes
to skin color. They say that, in Guadeloupe, what counts is what's in
your heart, not the color of your skin. We agree and wish more people
on our planet felt this way. In town, shops close for the ritual of a
long lunch with wine, as they do all over France.
GOVERNMENT
Guadeloupe became an Overseas Department of France in 1946, a status
identical to the departments of metropolitan France. In 1974, it was
given the further status of Région. A Prefect (or Préfet Commissaire
de la République) is appointed by the French Minister of the Interior.
The Prefect is assisted by two General Secretaries and two Sous-Préfets,
one for Pointe-à-Pitre and the other for the northern islands of St.
Martin and St. Barthélemy. Divided into 34 communes and 36 cantons,
Guadeloupe has two locally elected legislative bodies, the Conseil Général
and the Conseil Régional, as well as a consultative body called the
Economic and Social Committee. Guadeloupe is represented in the French
Parliament in Paris by two senators and four deputies, as well as by
two members of the Economic Council.
A
BRIEF HISTORY
Christopher Columbus landed on Guadeloupe on November 4, 1493. Though
originally called Karukéra (Island of Beautiful Waters) by the Carib
Indians, he named the island after the famous sanctuary of Santa Maria
de Guadalupe de Estremadura. Lacking gold and silver, Europeans did
not take a great interest in the island until the 17th century. For a
brief period the Spanish had tried to settle Guadeloupe, but they were
stopped by the ferocious Carib Indians. Then around 1635, the French
began to colonize the island. With the institutionalization of slavery
in 1644, the trade of spices, sugar, tobacco and rum prospered between
France, Africa and the Antilles. Guadeloupe was officially annexed by
the King of France in 1674. As the island prospered, it became the
scene of great battles between the French and the British, who
occupied it from 1759 to 1763. That year it was restored to France in
exchange for all French rights to Canada. But the tug-of-war continued
on and off until 1815 when the Treaty of Paris designated Guadeloupe
as French. In 1848, thanks to the efforts of Victor Schoelcher,
slavery was abolished. Guadeloupe was represented for the first time
in the French Parliament in 1871. It became part of the French
Overseas Departments on March 19, 1946.
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