 Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The official name is the Department of Guadeloupe. The capital is Basse-Terre. The official language is French, although some Creole patois is also spoken.
Official fact sheets will say the Guadeloupe does not have an official government. Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate. Therefore, the type of government in Guadeloupe would technically be a republic, because this is the government of France.
Prior to January 1, 2002, Guadeloupe used the French Franc as its currency. Presently, the Euro is used; just as it is in France. One USD (U.S. Dollar) may be exchanged for 7.38 FRF (French Franc). One USD (U.S. Dollar) may be exchanged for 1.25 EUR (European Union Currency).
 Guadeloupe’s flag is three horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a wide red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are separated from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a gold five-pointed star is centered in the red band toward the hoist side. Interestingly, the flag of France is used for official occasions. This is because Guadeloupe is part of the Overseas Department of France.
The average citizen, Guadeloupian, is employed in agriculture, tourism, light industry, or in the service industries. Guadeloupe depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas, eggplant, and flowers.
 The Department of Tourism lists several points of interest. Soufriere is an active volcano on the island. Most of the other sites focus on the beautiful natural surroundings and the vestiges of the Colonial French Empire. I would suggest the tour that includes Soufriere, the Beach of Trois-Rivières, the Lighthouse of Vieux-Fort, the Carbet Waterfalls, the Olive Fortress, and the Archaeological Gardens. You may wish to travel to Guadeloupe between November and May as Hurricane Season is from June to October.
Prepared by Mme. Bunnell
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