PointeàPitre

Pointe-à-Pitre is a commune on the western coast of Grande-Terre in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the Caribbean. It serves as a major port and commercial center for the island and archipelago and is commonly described as Guadeloupe’s economic capital. The town forms the historic and economic heart of the Pointe-à-Pitre metropolitan area, with a busy harbor and diverse districts around the port.

Geography and economy: The port handles cargo, ferries, and cruise ships, while markets and services support local commerce. The Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, known as Le Raizet, is located in nearby Les Abymes and provides interregional and international connections for Guadeloupe. The city is also a gateway for tourism, with cruises commonly stopping at Pointe-à-Pitre.

History and culture: The area has Afro-Caribbean, European, and Indo-Caribbean influences, and French and Antillean Creole are widely spoken; the euro is the currency. Among notable cultural sites is the Mémorial ACTe, a museum and cultural center dedicated to the history of slavery and its legacies in the Caribbean, located in Pointe-à-Pitre. The city hosts traditional markets, such as the Darse market (Marché de la Darse), and contributes to Guadeloupe’s Carnival celebrations.