Guadeloupe

From Wikinfo

Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, is an archipelago with a total area of 1,704 km² located in the Eastern Caribbean.

Administratively speaking, Guadeloupe is an overseas d�partement ([[d�partement d'outre-mer]], or DOM) of France. As the other DOMs, Guadeloupe is also a r�gion of France.

**Guadeloupe**
Region	Guadeloupe
Official language	French
Political status	Non-sovereign, Overseas Department of France
Department Number	971
Pr�fecture	Basse-Terre
[[Sous-pr�fecture]]s	[[Pointe-�-Pitre]], Saint-Martin
Head of Regional Council	Lucette Michaux-Chevry
Head of General Council	Jacques Gillot
Area - Total - % water	1,705 km² 4.2%
Population - Total (2002) - Density	436,000 245/km²
Currency	Euro
Time zone	UTC -4

Calling Code	590
Internet TLD	.gp

History

Main article: History of Guadeloupe

The original inhabitants were Arawak Indians. In 1493 during his second trip to America Christopher Columbus was the first European who set foot on the soil of Guadeloupe. The French took possession of the island in 1635. The following century saw the developpement of an economy based on sugar and slavery of Africans or their descendants. Slavery was definitely abolished by decree of April 27, 1848 at the initiative of Victor Schoelcher.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Guadeloupe

Geography

Main article: Geography of Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe comprises five islands: Guadeloupe proper (Basse-Terre), Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel called salt river) with the adjacent islands of [[La D�sirade]], [[�les des Saintes]] and Marie Galante.

Further to the north, [[Saint-Barth�lemy]] and the French part of Saint-Martin come under the juridiction of Guadeloupe. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande-Terre features rolling hills and flat plains.

See also: [[Communes of the Guadeloupe d�partement]]