General Island Name: Guadeloupe (GP). Country name: France (Overseas Department).  Nationality: Guadeloupian(s). Languages: French (official) 99%, Creole patois.  Island Capital: Basse-Terre (administrative).  Population: 440,189 (July 2003 est.).  Climate: Subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity.  Weather today: click here for intellicast weather forecast..

Geography

Area: 1,780 sq km (690 sq miles).

Coastline: 306 km. 

Forests and woodland: 44%.

Geographic coordinates: 16º 15' N, 61º 35' W. 

Highest point: La Soufriere 1,467 m (4,813 ft.). 

Location: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes, St. Barthelemy, and part of St. Martin. 

Size: Grand Terre: 32 km x 26 km, Basse Terre: 44 km x 20 km. 

Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin.
 

Tourist Information

Overview: Guadeloupe is an overseas region of France, a part of Europe, and an island with French flair.

Accommodations: There is a good selection of hotels and resorts on Guadeloupe. Gîtes (furnished apartments or bungalows) are widely available.

Activities: Hiking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, golf, tennis.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins.

Entry Requirements: Nationals of the member countries of the European Union just need an ID card (we are indeed in Europe, although not being "within" the Schengen bounderies). For North American citizens, a valid passport, as well as a return ticket are compulsory. The citizens of some other countries (notably some Caribbean islands) should have a visa. 

National holidays: National Day, 14 July. 

Post: Letters take about a week to reach Europe. Post offices are open 0700-1800 Monday to Friday, and Saturday mornings.

Press: Newspapers are in French and vary in their political bias. The main daily is France Antilles.

Telephone system: The international country code is 590.

Time: 1 hour ahead of Standard US Time and 5 hours ahead of Standard European Time. 
 

Money

Costs for living: Food is cheaper than on the most other Caribbean islands but accommodation costs are higher. There are no low budget accommodations. Basse-Terre is ranked number 157 of the most expensive places in the world (Barbados 108, Tampa Fla 235).

Credit cards: Major credit cards are widely accepted; Europeans can use their Eurocard. 

Currency: Since January 01, 2002, the Euro (EUR, €) has come into effect in the European Union and also Guadeloupe. 

Tipping: Most places already include their service charges on the final bill. he majority of restaurants include a 15 percent service charge on all bills, and hotels on the island generally add 10 percent on the final bill. But if you're feeling extra generous and your service was outstanding, you can always tip a little more. Taxi drivers may expect a tip, especially for longer trips.
 

Transport

Airport: Aéroport du Lamentin. Lamentin Airport is located 10 km (6 mi) outside of Fort-de-France. There is an Office Départemental du Tourism and a currency exchange booth at the airport.

Departure Tax: There is no airport departure tax.

Flight Times: The flight from Guadeloupe to Paris takes approximately 8 hours; to Los Angeles 9 hours; to New York 6 hours, to Singapore 25 hours; to London via Paris 12 hours. 

Ports and harbors: Basse-Terre, Gustavia (on Saint Barthelemy), Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre.
 

Politics

Ethnic groups: black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%. 

Legal system: French legal system 

Literacy: male: 90%  female: 90%. 

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant sects 1%. 
 

Economy

Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats 

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $9,000 (1996 est.).

Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism 

Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism. 

Unemployment rate: 29.5% (1997).
 

Radio frequencies
 

BBC World Service MHz 17.84 15.22 6.195 5.975

Voice of America: MHz 15.21 11.70 6.130 0.930