Guadeloupe snapshots, introduction, tourist attractions, and photographs

Situated in the eastern Caribbean Sea and southeast of Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe has total land area about 1,706 square kilometers, about 10 times the size of Washington, DC.

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 444,515 (2004 estimate) population, including black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese and Chinese less than 5%. French is the official language in Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint-Martin is divided with the Netherlands (whose southern portion is named Saint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles). It uses French franc as its currency.

Today, tourism is a key industry in Guadeloupe, with most tourists from the United States; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands.

Guadeloupe main two islands Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre form a shape like open butterfly wings. Grande-Terre, the eastern wing, is flat with low rolling terrain and beautiful sand beaches and is an ideal place for snorkeling, swimming, windsurfing and sailing. Most of the resorts are located along Grande-Terre shoreline.

Basse-Terre, the western wing, is volcanic, with mountains and lush rainforest, and the famous landmark La Soufriere volcano at 4,813 feet. With its rainforest, spectacular waterfalls and well-marked trails, it is one of the best hiking areas in the Caribbean.

Small offshore Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes islands offer visitors beautiful seaside scenery.

Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe's principal city and harbor, is a colorful marketplace to shop for French fashions, perfumes, and to enjoy a dinner in French restaurants.

Guadeloupe is a tropical paradise with French lifestyle and Caribbean beauty.