GENERAL INFORMATION

Identification Card

Guadeloupe

French Overseas Department since 1946

Surface Area
1,106 square miles
Population
428,000 inhabitants
Official Language
French, as well as Creole
Capitol
Pointe-à-Pitre
Political System
(France) Guadeloupe is a French Department just like any other.
National Holidays
Same as in France. May 27th, as well, in celebration of the abolition of slavery.
Currency
French Franc

CLIMATE

Guadeloupe has two seasons: the "dry" season from February to April, with a lot of sun and very little rain, and the "wet" season from June to October. In the wet season, the humidity can be a bit overbearing. But the breezes that come off the Sea will help to cool you down.
As a general rule, the weather in Guadeloupe is pleasant all year round.

BUSINESS HOURS

Remember, these are the islands, so businesses open early (7:30) and close early (3:00). Many businesses now stay open all day.

MAP...

Where does the name"Guadeloupe" come from?

Christopher Columbus gave the island its name in honor of Notre Dame de Guadelupe d'Estremadura to thank her for saving his ship in a storm. The name given to the island by the indigenous people there, before its discovery, was Karukéra.