Guadaloupe

Origin

The islands were inhabited by Caribe tribes when Christopher Columbus landed on Guadeloupe for the first time on November 3, 1493. The name, given to the islands by Columbus himself, was a reminder of the Virgin of Guadeloupe Monastery built in the self-governing Spanish community of Extremadura. The French Company of the American Islands established settlements in 1635 and it gradually conquered the Caribe people.After four royal-entitled companies failed to permanently colonize the islands, they were annexed to France in 1674 and turned into a Martinique’s dependency. The French founded Basse-Terre in 1643. The city lost some importance in the late 18th Century, though, when Point-à-Pitre became the island nation’s major economic center.In 1979, the city was virtually destroyed by a hurricane.Population: (1990) 14.107 inhabitants.


Constitution

En Guadalupe está vigente la Constitución francesa del 28 de septiembre de 1958


Government

The Guadeloupe Archipelago is governed by a prefect and by both a general and regional council, whose members are selected in democratic elections. Its representation in the French National Assembly consists of four representatives and two senators. During the June 1995 municipal elections, an independent candidate named Jean Barfleur, won the major office in Port-Louis.In the presidential elections held on April 23 through May 7, 1995, Socialist candidate Jospin won 55% in the run-offs. Commissioner Franck Perriez appointed by the French government. Legislative Power: a 42-member General Council and 41-member Regional Council, elected in office for a six-year term. Guadeloupe has four representatives and two senators in the French Parliament.Judicial system:Appeals Court with a 6-court lesser circuit. Political parties:Fédération Guadeloupéenne du Parti Socialiste (PS); Fédération Guadeloupéenne du Rassemblement pour la République (RPR); Fédération Guadeloupéenne de l'Union pour la Démocratie Française (UDF). These are local branches of the parties in mainland France. Parti Communiste Guadeloupéen (PCG), founded in 1944, calls since 1988 for independence as a goal to be achieved in a step-by-step, democratic elected way.A wedge off this party gave birth to the Parti Démocratique Guadeloupéen (PPDG). The Union Populaire pour la Libération de la Guadeloupe (UPLG) is the island nation’s most radical independent group. The Alliance Révolutionnaire Caraïbe (ARC), founded in Point-a-Pitre in 1983, has launched violent actions.


General History

Guadeloupe, place that the Caribbean Indians called " Beautiful Water Island ", with its warm climate, is one of the great tourist destinations of the Caribbean. It catches the visitor’s attention by the excellent hotels and services. It is surrounded by innumerable beaches, white sand and blue sea with different tonalities. In this French island still coexist the originating ancestral traditions of Africa, where it is common to see a religious celebration next to the magic practices that, according to the villagers, cures everything. The gastronomical variety of their kitchen and supplies can be appreciated in their infinity of restaurants, perhaps some dishes prepared with fish and seafood accompanied by the authentic local rum, deserve an unforgettable memory for the tourist who arrives at these coasts looking for a different adventure. In addition, its territories have the magic and old sugar plantations that emerge between the great extensions of natural forests. There are different options for entertainment, but if you prefer, you may visit interesting places such as the Natural Park of Guadeloupe, the Maison du Volcano and the eight small islands that conform the most important archipelago being Terre de Haut and Terre de Bas, considered as the most beautiful of the Caribbean and that communicates Trois-Rivières by a speedboat and small plane with Pointe-à-Pitre.