Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is an overseas department and region of France located in the Caribbean. It is part of the Lesser Antilles and comprises several inhabited islands, with the two largest being Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, which form a roughly butterfly-shaped group separated by a channel. The archipelago also includes the Îles des Saintes, Marie-Galante, La Désirade and numerous smaller islets. The capital and prefecture is Basse-Terre, while Pointe-à-Pitre is the largest city and economic hub. The island of Basse-Terre contains the active La Soufrière volcano and extensive rainforests; Grande-Terre is more low-lying. Guadeloupe has a tropical climate with a wet season and is exposed to Atlantic hurricanes.

Historically, Guadeloupe was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Arawak and Carib, before European contact. It came under French control in the 17th century, with slavery and sugar production shaping its economy and society. Since 1946 it has been an overseas department and region of France, making it part of the European Union and using the euro. It sends representatives to the French Parliament and is governed locally by a departmental council and a regional council.

The economy relies on tourism, services, and agriculture, including bananas. Port Pointe-à-Pitre is a major commercial hub. The official language is French; Guadeloupean Creole is widely spoken. The culture blends African, European, and Caribbean influences, evident in music such as gwo ka and zouk, as well as in cuisine featuring accras, bokit and rum. Festivals such as Carnival in Pointe-à-Pitre are notable. Religion is predominantly Roman Catholic, with Protestant communities as well.

Population is around 380,000. The territory includes diverse environments—rainforests, beaches, and coral reefs—with protected areas and ongoing concerns over hurricanes, coastal change, and biodiversity preservation.