Guadeloupe Guadeloupe, 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 département (département d'outre-mer, or DOM) of France. As the other DOMs, Guadeloupe is also a région of France, and an integral part of the Republic. Guadeloupe Region Guadeloupe Official language French Political status Non-sovereign, Overseas Department of France Department Number 971 Préfecture Basse-Terre Sous-préfectures Pointe-à-Pitre, Saint-Martin Head of Regional Council Victorin Lurel Head of General Council Jacques Gillot Area  - Total  - % water 1,705 km² 4.2% Population  - Total (2002)  - Density 436,000 245/km² Currency Euro Time zone UTC -4 Calling Code 590 Internet TLD .gp 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 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: Guadeloupe proper (Basse-Terre), Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel called salt river) with the adjacent islands of La Désirade, Les Saintes and Marie Galante. Further to the north, Saint-Barthélemy and the French part of Saint-Martin come under the juridiction of Guadeloupe. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande-Terre features rolling hills and flat plains. See also: Communes of the Guadeloupe département Economy Main article: Economy of Guadeloupe Demographics Main article: Demographics of Guadeloupe Culture Main article: Culture of Guadeloupe Unofficial flag See also: Music of Martinique and Guadeloupe Miscellaneous topics Communications in Guadeloupe Transportation in Guadeloupe Military of Guadeloupe External link Website of the prefecture of Guadeloupe Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadeloupe