“Located in the southern Caribbean, this French overseas territory is composed of several islands, with the Salée River separating the two main ones.
Hilly sugarcane fields and long beaches compose the landscape of Grande-Terre, whilst Basse-Terre is home to the stunning Parc National de la Guadeloupe, with its Carbet Falls and active volcano La Grand Soufrière, which can be explored via picturesque hiking trails. Dreamy Marie-Galante and La Désirade are among the smaller islands.”
Guadeloupe counts a population of more than 451,000 inhabitants, spreading over a total of 660 square miles. The climate here is a tropical one with cooling trade winds, showing very little differences between the seasons, with the dry season running from December to June and the humid season from July to November. The archipelago benefits from a year-round average temperature of 28oC, keeping the Caribbean Sea at a very enjoyable average of 26oC.
Whilst the official language here is French, the local Creole is widely spoken amongst the islanders, and is an important part of the Guadeloupean culture. At one point threatened to disappear, due to its rejection and even interdiction within certain social circles, Creole was brought back as a major asset of the island’s heritage in the 1970s, following a strong artistic movement that saw local writers and poets feature it in their work. Fully reintegrated, Creole is now even taught at school and in universities.
Culture plays an important part in the life of Guadeloupean, with music, dance, and art holding a place in the day-to-day life of the islanders. When it comes to music, a typical Guadeloupean party will be moving to the enticing beats of the local Biguine or Zouk, both of French West Indies traditions, or to wider Caribbean genres such as salsa, reggae, or meringue.
