 Guadeloupe : Profile
The largest of the Leeward Islands, Guadeloupe is a Departément d'Outremer (Overseas Department) of France and its inhabitants are French citizens. The department includes the neighbouring islands of Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, and La Désirade as well as St Barts and St Martin. The official language is French. Most people speak creole. In tourist centres they also speak English. Guadeloupe is a butterfly-shaped island, the two wings separated by the Rivière Salée, which is navigable by shallow draft boats. The bridge only opens at 0500 every day except Sunday and normally boats with a 6 ft (1.8 m) draft can negotiate the passage, even if occasionally they have to plough through the soft mud. The added advantage of taking this shorter route is that the sailing angle for boats continuing to Antigua is much more favourable. Cruising attractions: a blend of French sophistication and Caribbean joi de vivre that has produced an atmosphere unmatched in any of the English-speaking Caribbean islands. The island and her dependencies offer everything a sailor could wish for, from secluded anchorages to the latest marinas, first-class repair facilities, good provisioning as well as an excellent cuisine suited to all pockets. Yachting facilities in Guadeloupe are excellent. There are several marinas (ports de plaisance) and as Guadeloupe has been chosen as the finish of several transatlantic races from France, repair and service facilities are of a high standard. But note, it has been reported that propane tanks with American-style fittings cannot be filled here.
The climate is tropical, in the trade wind belt. The height of the land means frequent rainfall. July to September is the highest danger period for hurricanes.
Meteo France Guadeloupe
Tel:08 92 68 08 08
Basse Terre
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, Deshaies
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, Iles des Saintes
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, Marie Galante
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, Pointe-a-Pitre
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, Port Louis
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, Saint Francois
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*Indicates a port of entry.
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