Other Definitions
guadeloupe (dest)
guadeloupe (dict)
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GuadeloupeGuadeloupe, in the Caribbean Sea, is an archipelago with a total area of 1,704 km² located in the Eastern Caribbean. Administratively speaking, Guadeloupe is an overseas dpartement (dpartement d'outre-mer, or DOM) of France. As the other DOMs, Guadeloupe is also a rgion of France, and an integral part of the Republic. History Main article: History of Guadeloupe The original inhabitants were Arawak Indians. In 1493 during his second trip to America Christopher Columbus was the first European who set foot on the soil of Guadeloupe. The French took possession of the island in 1635. The British captured the island in 1759, retaining it until 1763 when France took it back it again after choosing it over their Quebec territory in New France under the terms of the 1763 Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years' War. The following century saw the development of an economy based on sugar and slavery of Africans or their descendants. Slavery was definitely abolished by decree of April 27, 1848 at the initiative of Victor Schoelcher. Politics Main article: Politics of Guadeloupe Geography Main article: Geography of Guadeloupe Guadeloupe comprises five islands: Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel called salt river) with the adjacent islands of La Dsirade, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande-Terre features rolling hills and flat plains. Further to the north, Saint-Barthlemy and the French part of Saint Martin come under the juridiction of Guadeloupe. See also: Communes of the Guadeloupe dpartement Economy Main article: Economy of Guadeloupe Demographics Main article: Demographics of Guadeloupe Culture Main article: Culture of Guadeloupe See also External links
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