MarieGalante

Marie‑Galante is a small volcanic island in the Caribbean, part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. It lies off the western coast of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe and forms one of the three main islands of the department, along with Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. The island covers about 158 square kilometres, its highest point being La Chaîne, a 500‑metre hill near the village of Terre-de-Haut. The landscape is characterized by limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, and limestone plateaus that support sugarcane fields and cacao plantations.

First settled by the Indigenous Arawak people, Marie‑Galante was later colonized by the French in the mid‑17th century. During the 18th and 19th centuries the island was a prominent sugarcane plantation centre, and the legacy of plantation architecture and slavery is still evident in its rural villages. The ethnographic center of Pomier, a bastide built in the 19th century, now houses a museum that celebrates the island’s colonial history and maritime heritage.

The island’s economy today relies on tourism, agriculture, and artisanal crafts. It has become a destination for eco‑tourism, blue‑water diving, and surfing, with hotels and guesthouses located along its coastlines. Traditional music and dance, particularly the “kad” drum rhythm and “zouk” styles, play an important role in local culture.

Marie‑Galante has a population of roughly 4,000 residents, who mainly reside in small villages such as Saint‑Philippe, Pointe La Soufrière, and Trois‑Crères. The official language is French, though Antillean Creole is commonly spoken. The island observes the Atlantic Standard Time zone (UTC‑4) and uses the French postal code 97141.