|
FRENCH WEST INDIES - GUADELOUPE The Guadeloupe Archipelago includes
the large islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, the nearby
islands of Marie-Galante and La Desirade and numerous smaller
islands. It also include the island of Saint Barthelemy, and the
French controlled part of the island of Saint Martin.
Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint Martin
is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and
is part of the Netherlands Antilles and its northern portion is named
Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe is the centre of the
Caribbean's Creole culture, boasting a spirited blend of French and African
influences. As well known for its sugar and rum as for its beaches and resorts,
the archipelago offers an interesting mix of modern cities, rural hamlets,
rainforests and secluded beaches.
History
When sighted by Columbus in 1493, Guadeloupe was inhabited by Carib Indians, who
called it Karukera, 'Island of Beautiful Waters'. The Spanish made two attempts
to settle Guadeloupe in the early 1500s but were repelled both times by fierce
Carib resistance and finally abandoned their claim to the island in 1604. Three
decades later, French colonists sponsored by the Compagnie des Îles d'Amérique,
an association of French entrepreneurs, set sail to establish the first European
settlement on Guadeloupe. The party landed on the southeastern shore of
Basse-Terre in 1635 and claimed Guadeloupe for France. The French drove the
Caribs off the island, planted crops and within a decade had built the first
sugar mill. By the time France officially annexed the island in 1674, a
slave-based plantation system was well established. The English invaded
Guadeloupe several times, and between 1759 and 1763 they developed Pointe-à-Pitre
into a major harbour, opened profitable English and North American markets to
Guadeloupean sugar and allowed planters to import cheap American lumber and
food. Many French colonists actually grew wealthier under the British occupation
as the economy expanded rapidly. But the party ended with the signing of the
Treaty of Paris in 1763, under which the French traded their claims in Canada
for the return of Guadeloupe. Since 1871, Guadeloupe has had representation in
the French parliament. When the French surrendered to the Nazis, splitting
France in two with the southern section ruled from Vichy, Guadeloupe fell under
Vichy administration. Since 1946, the island has been an overseas department of
France. When, in 1958, residents were presented at a referendum with a choice
between integration into the French mainland community and independence, they
chose the former. Both Guadeloupe and Martinique use French currency and stamps
and fly the French flag. In 1974, they were promoted to the administrative
status of a region, and in 1983 a regional council was established. Guadeloupe's
political status hasn't satisfied everyone, however, and a local secessionist
movement has occasionally resorted to acts of terrorism. The local volcano, La
Soufrière, which erupted in the 1970s and still belches sulfurous fumes today,
has also disrupted the peace.
Population & Currency
The population of Guadeloupe is 440,189 (July 2003). The local currency is Euros
but U.S. dollars, traveler's checks and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Economy
The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It
also depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key
industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise
ships visit the islands. Other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about
50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers, are slowly replacing the
traditional sugarcane crop. Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food,
mainly from France. Light industry features sugar and rum production. Most
manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among
the young. Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy.
St. Barts
Discovered by
Christopher Columbus in 1493, and he named it in honor of his
brother Bartolomeo. In the mid-1600s, the French arrived, took
control from the indigenous indians, and built small settlements. In
1784 it was sold (traded) to Sweden, and even though the French
bought it back in 1878, some Swedish influences remain, including
the name of the its capital, Gustavia. The island is part of the
French overseas department of Guadeloupe.Saint Barthelemy, a
sub-prefect of Guadeloupe, a French overseas department.
Population 6,900 (est)
Capital City Gustavia
Languages French (official), English, others
Currency Euro
Land Area 8 sq miles (21 sq km) |
