Colonie de Grand Guadeloupe

Consists of Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, Les Saintes

Dominant Culture: French

Short History
Discovered by Columbus in 1493, this island wasn't colonized until 1635 by the Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique. They crushed the local population military and seized control over the island. In 1674 the island was formally made a part of the Kingdom of France. Initially tobacco was farmed, but after the appearance of sugar cane on the Caribbean islands this soon shifted. The sugar plantations made Guadeloupe into a very profitable colony for the French crown. The small islands nearby are named La Désirade, Les Saintes, and Marie-Galante and are under jurisdiction of Guadeloupe.

Points of Interest

 * The islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre together make the largest island of Guadeloupe, they are separated by a narrow sea channel named Rivière Salée (Salt River).
 * Gourbeyre, Basse-Terre. A village that houses the Fort Louis Delgres, a very important fortification for the French. It was considered impenetrable during earlier British attacks.
 * La Grande Soufrière (Big Sulphur Outlet), active volcano on Basse-Terre.
 * Baillif, Basse-Terre. A part of land given to the Dominican Monks.
 * Fontaines Bouillantes, a village named after the hot springs that reportedly have therapeutic virtues.
 * Les chutes du Carbet, a series of three waterfalls
 * Le Moule, Haute-Terre. Main commercial port of Guadeloupe, stronghold of the colonial aristocracy.
 * La Pointe des Châteaux, a peninsula that extends into the Atlantic Ocean well known for it's strong waves and winds.
 * La Désirade, an island near Guadeloupe that serves as a leper colony.
 * Rocher de la Vierge, Les Saintes archipel. A rock formation that resembles the Immaculate Conception.

Notable Inhabitants

 * Gabriel-Mathieu Francois D'ceus de Clieu, Governor of Guadeloupe.

Link Sites

 * La Moule
 * La Pointe des Châteaux
 * La Désirade