UK Tel: 01209 211 800
Intl Tel: +44 1209 211 800
CESA House
Pennance Road
Lanner
Cornwall
TR16 5TQ
Great Britain
t: 01209 211 800
Intl t: +44 1209 211 800
f: 01209 211 830
Founder member of the Year Out Group and the International Association of Language Travel Agents.
History of Guadeloupe
French in Guadeloupe
A beautiful Caribbean island, home to less than 500,000 local people, Guadeloupe is one of several islands in the Lesser Antilles. It has been a French Overseas department since 1946, but before that was occupied by the Spanish. Guadeloupe is made up of two islands, Basse Terre and Grande Terre, each with their own, very distinct geological characteristics, separated by a salt water river, La Rivière Salèe”. Basse Terre is volcanic in origin and is home to the Parc Naturel, with one of the best tropical rain forest reserves of the West Indies also “La Sufriere” volcano, great hiking trails and countless waterfalls. Grande Terre is a limestone plateau, with white sand beaches, turquoise seas, coral reefs, dramatic cliffs and a dry climate.
The island is not dependent on tourism, nor is it as wealthy as near neighbours such as St Barts or Martinique. It has a strong economy based on rural farmland, with sugar cane (and rum) as a major source of its wealth. It has the same political status as any of the mainland Provinces of France. The local people are friendly, there is little to no begging or “volunteer guides”. The island combines a Creole influence with French heritage, which means this Caribbean island combines a national passion for cooking with a sense of the importance of enjoying life.
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