Overview of Guadeloupe

Profile

Guadeloupe is an archipelago centered on Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre islands, including Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, and La Désirade, administratively constituting an overseas department and region of France and part of the European Union. Characterized by diverse natural environments surrounded by volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and mangroves, with sugarcane and banana industries and resort tourism supporting the economy. Using the same legal system and currency (euro) as mainland France, high living standards coexist with distinctive Caribbean Creole culture.

Official name: Overseas Department and Region of Guadeloupe (French Republic)
Common name: Guadeloupe
Numeric code: 312
Alpha-3 code: GLP
Alpha-2 code: GP
Population: 403,000 (2021)
Population density: Approximately 266 per km2
Primary languages: French, Antillean Creole (Guadeloupean Creole)
Major religions: Roman Catholic
National anthem: La Marseillaise (French national anthem)
Calling code: +590
Internet TLD: .gp

History

Columbus landed in 1493, French territory since 1635. After slavery and sugarcane economy, became a French overseas department in 1946.

Inhabited by Carib people before Europeans, Columbus arrived in 1493 naming it after a Spanish monastery. France colonized in 1635, introducing large numbers of African slaves for sugarcane and rum production. Sovereignty transferred between Britain and France several times in the 18th-19th centuries, but was fixed under French control again after 1816. Slavery abolished in 1848. In 1946 after WWII, it was elevated to overseas department equal with mainland France under the Fourth Republic, with a 2003 autonomy expansion referendum passing. It now develops as a European outermost region where EU law applies.

Geography & climate

Western Basse-Terre Island features steep volcanoes and tropical rainforests, while eastern Grande-Terre Island features limestone plateaus and white sand beaches, surrounded by coral reefs.

Tropical maritime climate

Area: North America (Caribbean) / 1705 km²
Capital: Basse-Terre
Largest city: Pointe-à-Pitre
Coastal status: Yes

Natural resources

Sugarcane, Bananas, Marine fishery resources, Geothermal energy, Volcanic minerals, Mangroves, Tropical fruits, Medicinal plants

Politics

Government: Overseas department and region of the French Republic (decentralized unitary system)

Economy

Currency: Euro (EUR)

GDP (nominal):

GDP (PPP):

Language & timezone

Primary languages: French, Antillean Creole (Guadeloupean Creole)

Time zone: Atlantic Standard Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Afro-Caribbean, Mixed Creole, European French, Indian descent, Chinese, Syrian-Lebanese

Life expectancy

82.2 years

Literacy rate

98%

National sports

Soccer, Athletics, Basketball, Judo, Sailing