GUADELOUPE
GEOGRAPHY
A trip to this Caribbean country of five islands is an experience of rural and urban type depending where you are. The nature is unpolluted and water very blue. Beaches and water of Atlantic and Caribbean Sea is very enticing for leisure and water related activities. Make your holidays a memorable by spending your holidays with your family and children here.
It is an overseas department of France in the Lesser Antilles with 1779 square km of land located amidst Antigua and Dominica in the easterly course of Caribbean Sea. In the south of the main island are tiny atoll of Les Saintes, La Desirade, Terre-de-Haut and Marie Galante.
The country contours give it the outline of a butterfly’s wings connected to each other through mangrove swamp and Riviere Salee Bridge. The east side wing is named Grande-Terre and west side portion is Basse-Terre.
The chief cash crops are sugar cane, coffee, beans, vanilla and tropical fruits. Sugar and rum are exported.
It is in the hurricane region. The peak time is in September and October.
The infrastructure of the country’s roadways is modern and people enjoy moderate life style.
THE CAPITAL
The capital is Basse-Terre. For tourist there are natural scenery national park diving and other water activities.
CLIMATE
Tourist influx is between December and May. This time of the year it is warm and arid. Winter temperature is 23 degrees where as in summers it is 32 degrees. Arid season begins in February and concludes in June; monsoon begins in July lasts till January. North eastern trade winds rejuvenate the island year after year.
Basse-Terre being on a height has cooler temperature and heavier rainfall.
Light weight cotton clothing is best suited for summers whereas waterproof attire and hiking paraphernalia for excursions in monsoon and adventure.
HISTORY
Arawaks basically tribe of Indian origin were the first inhabitants here many hundred years prior to Christ; they were fishermen by profession. The cannibal conquerors from Karibs wiped the Arawaks from the island in the 9th century. These warriors were the people on island of Calouceare when Christopher landed here.
It was in 1493 that Christopher Columbus stepped on this island then called Karukera meaning island of beautiful waters in Creole. Christopher rechristened it on sanctuary Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Estremadura. The absences of rich metals like gold made the place unattractive for the Europeans. Spain unsuccessfully tried to make it its domain but all attempts were foiled by Carib Indians. It was in 1635 that French began to make settlements here for trade of spices, tobacco, and sugar and drink rum for Africa and Antilles.
It was in 1674 that the island was incorporated under King of France. This followed sporadic conflict between France and Britain for annexing the place as a display of power in the region; this continued till1815 until Treaty of Paris made it a French territory. The island could represent itself in the French parliament only in 1971. March 1946 it was made French Department.
POPULATION
The land has peaceful existence of Europeans, East Indians heritage community, and African existing together.
The language in official use is French and many natives make use of Creole. As one moves towards the north to Saint Bartholomew and Saint Martin the use of English increases. English is used with ease by the people connected with hospitality industry. Most of the people are Catholic by faith. Transaction currency in use is Euro. Farming is done on one third part of the land.
TOURISM
There are ample leisure activities in this small island with fresh air. Grande-Terre in the east is renowned for its fine granule simmering white natural beaches hillocks sugar cane fields and resort accommodations. The land of jungles thundering waterfalls, elegant mountains with national parks and world rating diving, surfing and hiking sites, the amazing Jacques Cousteau an under water viewing site are all confined within Basse-Terre. Enjoy the metropolitan Terre-de-Haut, or the rustic Marie-Galante or the wintry La Desirade. The renowned well maintained most popular with tourists is the densely vegetated national park at La Soufriere with its wildlife and 300 km stretch of walking trail. Appreciate the past by visiting museums rich in excavated artifacts the ancient forts and old architecture.
The natives are warm and welcoming and the food specific to the place delicious beach bars conveniently located. What more could one ask for on a vacation!
There are beaches at Basse-Terre with dark hued sands; some beaches are free for all while a limited number restrict entry through parking fees. The facilities at these beaches are minimal but those owned by hotels are open to non-guests with charges on use of facilities. The beach at Plage Tarare adjoining Pointe-des-Chateaux is frivolous with clothing non compulsory. Roam about the beach and examine the coral lagoon at leisure; there is abundance of these at Grande Terre Island. Palm lined beach Caravelle beach has its own uniqueness. Visit another adjoining island Petite Terre for one day and relish the clean blue water as you watch sea beds in scuba diving.
The Le Carbet waterfall is amazing; in the surrounding nature and vegetation people just sit around watching butterflies flutter by. Rustic life style becomes all the more attractive when a local family extends hospitality to the visiting guests in their household. This is possible at Marie Galante. The Vieux Fort River is exciting for kayak and hiking.
ACCOMMODATION
Staying becomes expensive during Christmas and New Year festivity which coincides with winters. For this season advance booking is recommended. The five islands in this nation have good accommodation facility to meet all pockets. Avail the facilities of 1-4 star hotels, villas, resorts, rural cottages, country inns, beach resorts or even self catering rustic Bienvenue a la Ferme or Auberge Creoles. Camping or caravanning possibility is ruled out as the land has no earmarked sites for the same.
SHOPPING
The shopping at the multihued markets is full of fun. Added to it is the tradition of coco fights in the weekly markets. Most tourists pick up spice combos containing pouches of different types of spices.
FOOD
The long association of the land with France is evident in its food preparation; the dishes of natives’ French foods and Creole preparations. Fish and sea food is a part of many dishes. There is no dearth of vegetables and salads.
People enjoy food with local Zouk dance music. For night life there are many casinos all over the place. Each island has its own specific format of entertainment somewhat similar and a little different.
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