Guadeloupe Overview Country Overview Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, comprises Guadeloupe proper (Basse-Terre), Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel) and five smaller islands. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande Terre features rolling hills and flat plains. All the islands have beautiful white- or black-sand palm-fringed beaches. There are also many lush mountainous areas with stunning and unspoiled tropical scenery. Pointe-à-Pitre, the commercial capital of Guadeloupe, is a gracious town with a pleasant square at its core. It has an active, lively port with many narrow streets to explore. On Basse-Terre, Sainte-Marie-de-Capesterre, where Columbus landed, should be visited, as should the Hindu temple to its south. Island specialities include stuffed crab and broiled dove. A local speciality, Rum Punch (a brew of rum, lime, bitter and syrup), is a must. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and discotheques, with displays of local dancing and music. The famous dance of the island is called the Biguine, where colourful and ornate Creole costumes are still worn. General Information Area: Total: 1705 sq km (658.3 sq miles). Basse-Terre: 839 sq km (324 sq miles). Grand-Terre: 564 sq km (218 sq miles). Marie-Galante: 150 sq km (58 sq miles). La Désirade: 29.7 sq km (11.5 sq miles). Les Saintes: 13.9 sq km (5.4 sq miles). St Barthélemy: 95 sq km (37 sq miles). St Martin (which shares the island with St Maarten, part of the Netherlands Antilles): 88 sq km (34 sq miles). Population: 422,496 (1999). Population density: 247.8 per sq km. Capital: Basse-Terre (administrative). Population: 12,410 (1999). Pointe-à-Pitre, on Grande Terre (commercial centre). Population: 20,948 (1999). GEOGRAPHY: Guadeloupe comprises Guadeloupe proper (Basse-Terre), Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel) and five smaller islands. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande Terre features rolling hills and flat plains. All the islands have beautiful white- or black-sand palm-fringed beaches. There are also many lush mountainous areas with stunning and unspoiled tropical scenery. Government: Guadeloupe is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by Prefect Jean-François Carenco since 1999. Language: The official language is French. The lingua franca is Creole. Time: GMT - 4. Religion: The majority are Roman Catholic, with a minority of predominantly Evangelical protestant groups. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 590. Good internal network. There are no area codes. Phonecards (télécartes) are necessary to make calls from public telephones. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Handsets can be hired at the airport (cost: €46 for one week, plus deposit of €153). Network providers include France Télécom and Améris. Coverage extends throughout the French West Indies and in French Guiana. St Martin and St Barthélemy also have digital analog networks, system B, operated by St Martin Mobiles (website: www.stmartinmobiles.com). These analog networks are compatible with most US handsets, which can be activated on the island by dialling 0 or by registering online. Internet Local ISPs include wanadoo (website: www.wanadoo.fr) and Antilles-net (website: www.antilles-net.com). Post Airmail takes about a week to reach Europe. Press Newspapers are all in French. The main daily is France-Antilles. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No Yes Australian Yes No Yes Canadian Yes No Yes USA Yes No Yes OtherEU Yes No Yes Japanese Yes No Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following; (a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for a stay of up to three months; (b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR) (red passport holders only), Hungary, Iceland, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to three months; (c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Short-stay (single-entry): (one to 30 days) £15.72; (31-90 days) £18.87. Short-stay (double-entry): £22.01. Transit: £6.29. Validity: Short-stay visas (up to 30 days) are valid for two months. Short stay visas (31-90 days and double-entry) are valid for a maximum of six months from date of issue. Transit visas are valid for single or multiple entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day of arrival. Application to: French Consulate General (for personal visas), or consular section at Embassy (for diplomatic or service visas); see Contact Addresses section for France. All applications must be made in person. Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-sized photos. (d) Fee to be paid in cash only. (e) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (f) Letter from employer, or proof of stay in country of residence. (g) Proof of address. (h) Medical insurance. (i) Return ticket. (j) Proof of accommodation during stay. Working days required: One day to three weeks depending on nationality. Temporary residence: If intending to work or stay for longer than three months nationals should contact the Long Stay visa section of the Consulate General or Embassy (tel: (020) 7073 1248). Money Currency: Since 1 January 1999, the Euro, which was introduced in January 2002, has been the official currency for the French Overseas Departments, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. For further details, exchange rates and currency restrictions, see France section. Currency exchange: All the major French banks are represented on the island. ATMs are available. Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available. Travellers cheques: Accepted in most places. Their use may qualify visitors for discounts on luxury items. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros. US and Canadian Dollar cheques are also accepted in some places. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1600, Sat 0800-1200 (closed Wednesday afternoons). Duty Free Guadeloupe is an Overseas Department of France, and the duty-free allowances are the same as for France. Note: Plants and vegetables of any sort are prohibited, as is food of animal origin from Haiti. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 1-5 Carnival. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 Victory Day. May 29 Ascension. May 27 Abolition of Slavery. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Jul 21 Victor Schoelcher Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 2 All Souls’ Day. Nov 11 Armistice Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 20-25 Carnival. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 Victory Day. May 20 Ascension. May 27 Abolition of Slavery. May 31 Whit Monday. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Jul 21 Victor Schoelcher Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 2 All Souls’ Day. 11 Armistice Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected or endemic zone within six days. Food & drink: Mains water is chlorinated and whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafoods and fruit are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well maintained and chlorinated are safe. Hepatitis A can occur. The sap of the manchineel tree is toxic and causes burns to the skin. Travellers should avoid contact with its leaves and fruit, and should not stand under the tree when it is raining. These trees, which look similar to apple trees, are often marked with a red sign on the trunk. Health care: Health care is of a good standard, but health insurance is advisable to cover costs as the reciprocal health agreement between the UK and France may not apply in Guadeloupe. Travel - International AIR: Guadeloupe’s national airline is Air Caraïbes (TX). Air France operates at least one flight a day Pointe-à-Pitre from Paris. Other airlines serving Guadeloupe include Air Canada, American Airlines, Air Liberté, AOM and LIAT. Approximate flight times: From Guadeloupe to London is 12 hours 40 minutes (including a stopover time of 1 hour in Paris), to Los Angeles is 9 hours and to New York is 6 hours. International airports: Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) (Le Raizet) (website: www.guadeloupe.aeroport.fr), 3km (2 miles) from Pointe-à-Pitre. Buses and taxis to the city are available. The airport has two international terminals: Guadeloupe Pôle Caraibes and le Raizet. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, ATM, duty-free shops, restaurants/bars and tourist information. Departure tax: None. SEA: Guadeloupe is a point of call for the following international cruise operators: Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Royal Olympic, and Princess Cruises. Many ships ply between Guadeloupe and Martinique, and also connect with Miami and San Juan (Puerto Rico). Ferries and catamarans sail regularly from Pointe-à-Pitre to Dominica, Martinique and St Lucia. Travel - Internal AIR: Air Caraïbe, Air Guadeloupe, Air Martinique, Air St Barth, Air St Martin and LIAT connect Guadeloupe with the smaller islands in the group. Air France also offers a limited inter-island service. There are domestic airports on the islands of St Martin, Marie-Galante, La Désirade and St Barthélemy. Domestic airports: St Martin (SFG) (Espérance) is 4km (3 miles) from Marigot. Buses and taxis are available. The airport is served by Air Caraïbes. Facilities include a bar. St Barthélemy (SBH) is 2km (1 mile) from Gustavia. Taxis are available. SEA: Regular ferry services ply around the islands. ROAD: There is a good public bus service, taxi services and many car and van rental companies. Buses depart from Pointe à Pitre and Basse Terre to all towns and villages. Documentation: National driving licence is sufficient, but at least one year’s driving experience is required. An International Driving Permit is advised. Accommodation HOTELS: There is a good selection of hotels on Guadeloupe, ranging from first-class beach resorts to country inns. Visitors can also stay in traditional small hotels known as Relais Créoles. Most accommodation is to be found on the south coast of Grande-Terre. Accommodation on the outlying islands can be interesting, but may be very basic. At present there are over 4000 rooms throughout the group. The tax on hotel rates is usually inclusive. A standard charge of US$1.50 per day is levied by many hotels. Additional service charges can range between 15-30 per cent depending on the time of year. The Relais de la Guadeloupe provides a central booking service. Grading: 3- and 4-star hotels offer sporting and cultural activities in addition to board and lodging. There are also two particular categories of hotel: Hibiscus (H) and Alamandas (A). Hibiscus hotels are 2- or 3-star establishments usually run as a family affair. Alamandas hotels are sophisticated 1- or 2-star establishments. Many hotels in the Caribbean offer accommodation according to one of a number of plans: FAP is Full American Plan; room with all meals (including afternoon tea, supper, etc). AP is American Plan; room with three meals. MAP is Modified American Plan; breakfast and dinner included with the price of the room, plus in some places British-style afternoon tea. CP is Continental Plan; room and breakfast only. EP is European Plan; room only. SELF-CATERING: Villas and cottages may be rented. It is also possible for visitors to stay in traditional accommodation, known as gîtes ruraux, which are small furnished appartments or villas located away from major resorts owned by Guadeloupe hosts. Further information can be obtained from the Office du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section). CAMPING: There is only one campsite in Guadeloupe at present. For further details contact the Guadeloupe Office du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction GRANDE-TERRE: Pointe-à-Pitre, the commercial capital of Guadeloupe, is situated on the island of Grande-Terre. This gracious town has a pleasant square at its core, the Place de la Victoire, which is surrounded by a busy market and, further out, the docks. It is an active, lively port with many narrow streets to explore. The Pavillion d’Exposition de Bergevin and the Centre Cultural Rémy Nainsouta are two interesting museums in the town. At Fort Fleur de L’Epée, there are some fascinating underground caves and to the north of these is the old sugar town of Sainte Anne. BASSE-TERRE: Highlights include Sainte Marie de Capesterre where Columbus and the Hindu temple to its south, where it may be possible to see religious ceremonies taking place. The small town of Trois Rivières has a collection of interesting Indian relics which could easily be visited on the way to the National Park of Guadeloupe near St Claude. This 74,000-acre park, of great natural beauty, is situated at the base of La Soufrière, a dormant volcano. In the rainforests there are some good walking and picnic areas which make a pleasant alternative to lying on the islands’ fine beaches. The town of Basse-Terre itself is a beautiful old French colonial town, situated at the foot of La Soufrière. The St Charles Fort is of French military architecture, built in 1605 and now restored and converted into a museum. The cathedral and market place are also worth seeing. OUTLYING ISLANDS: The other islands of Marie-Galante, La Désirade and Les Saintes are visited less frequently and are best suited to the resourceful traveller. La Désirade, quiet and undeveloped, is known for its seafood. Les Saintes are a string of tiny islands, only two of which are inhabited, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. These are both very attractive and have a selection of modestly priced hotels. Marie-Galante has a number of good hotels and beaches. Its old and crumbling mills are reminders of its history as a major sugar plantation. Sport & Activities Watersports: Guadeloupe’s beaches are good for swimming, and the sand varies depending on the area: Grande-Terre has white sand, and the sand on the leeward coast is brown, while black-sand beaches can be found on the western end of Basse-Terre. Nude and topless sunbathing is restricted to just a few beaches. Snorkelling and diving can be practised widely, and there are several commercial operators offering equipment hire, courses and diving trips. Snorkellers can usually access coral reefs directly from the beaches. Divers should note that harpoons and artificial lights are strictly prohibited. Glass-bottomed boats operate at several marine nature reserves on Petite-Terre and Basse-Terre. Marine species such as lobsters and sea turtles are protected, and visitors should familiarise themselves with Guadeloupe’s conservation policies upon arrival. There are good facilities (such as boat charters and equipment hire) for fishing, including deep-sea fishing. In maritime reserves fishing is either forbidden or strongly regulated; visitors should enquire locally. Small-boat sailing and water-skiing are both popular. Guadeloupe hosts a number of regional and international sailing competitions and there are sailing schools throughout the islands. Pleasure sailing boats do not require a licence. Walking: The National Park of Guadeloupe provides around 300km (188 miles) of marked trails leading into the rainforest, where visitors can observe many tropical animals and plants. The scenery on these walks often includes waterfalls (such as the Cascade aux Ecrevisses) or lakes (such as the Grand Etang). On Grande-Terre, hiking trails lead through the mangrove or along the cliffs of the Atlantic coast. For further information, contact the Office du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section). Other: Horseriding and mountain climbing are also possible. There is a well-known 18-hole golf course, the Sainte-Françoise, designed by Robert Trent Jones. Social Profile Food & Drink: Predominantly seafood, cooked in French, Creole, African or South-East Asian styles. Dishes include lobster, turtle, red snapper, conch and sea urchin. Island specialities include stuffed crab, stewed conch, roast wild goat, jugged rabbit and broiled dove. The spicy flavour of Creole cuisine is unique. The more formal restaurants will require appropriate dress. Drinks include a great supply of French wines, champagnes, liqueurs and local rum. A local speciality, Rum Punch (a brew of rum, lime, bitter and syrup), is a must. There are no licensing restrictions. Nightlife: There are plenty of restaurants, bars and discotheques, with displays of local dancing and music. The famous dance of the island is called the Biguine, where colourful and ornate Creole costumes are still worn. Shopping: Worthwhile purchases are French imports, including perfume, wine, liqueurs and Lalique crystal. Local items include fine-flavoured rum, straw goods, bamboo hats, voodoo dolls, and objects of aromatic Vetevier root. Travellers cheques give a 20 per cent discount in some shops. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1800, Sat 0830-1300. Special Events: There are many local festivals and special events, both Roman Catholic and Creole. For details, contact the Office du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section). Social Conventions: The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Casual dress is accepted everywhere, but formal dress is needed for dining out and in nightclubs. Tipping: Ten per cent is normal. Business Profile Economy: Guadeloupe’s economy is relatively diverse by regional standards – with agriculture, light industry and tourism as its main components – but remains heavily dependent on French aid and is vulnerable to the vagaries of the Caribbean climate. Bananas and sugar are the main export commodities, accounting for over one-third of total foreign earnings (although the banana trade is threatened by a World Trade Organization ruling preventing preferential access to European markets). Coffee, cocoa and vanilla are the other important cash crops. Industry is largely devoted to processing agricultural products and light manufactured goods such as boats. Tourism is a key and fast-growing sector; mainly eco-tourism and a growing market for cruise ship stopovers. France supplies most of the island’s imports and takes three-quarters of its exports. Business: Lightweight suits, safari suits, and shirt and tie are recommended for business meetings. Best times to visit are January to March and June to September. Much of the island’s business is connected to France. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1800. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Pointe-à-Pitre, rue René Wachter, 97152 Pointe-à-Pitre (tel: 937 600; fax: 812 187) or Chambre de Commerce, 6 Rue Victor Hugues, 97100 Basse Terre (tel: 994 444; fax: 812 117; e-mail: ccibt@ais.gp; website: www.basse-terre.cci.fr). Climate Warm weather throughout the year with the main rainy season occurring from June to October. Showers can, however, occur at any time although they are usually brief. The humidity can be exceedingly high at times. Required clothing: Lightweights with warmer top layers for the evenings; showerproofs are advisable. History and Government History: Guadeloupe was among the islands charted by Columbus in 1493. French colonies were established in 1635. The British made brief attempts to occupy the islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, but they have always remained under French control. In 1946, the islands were given the status of Overseas Departments and, as a result of President Mitterand’s decentralisation policies, Guadeloupe became an administrative region and is represented in the French National Assembly by four Deputies. All four major parties maintain branches on Guadeloupe, although the Socialist party is split between official and dissident factions. Both groups are represented on the Regional Council. The Gaullist RPR, the UDF and other right-wing groups formed an electoral alliance under the rubric Objectif Guadeloupe, which now holds 15 of the 41 seats. The failure of the two Socialist factions to reach agreement gave the presidency to the RPR Deputy to the French National Assembly, Lucette Michaux-Chévry. At the end of 1992, the French Conseil d’Etat declared the March election invalid owing to irregularities in the payment of electoral deposits (an indicator of the corruption which has pervaded Guadeloupe’s political and commercial systems), and a re-run was scheduled for March 1994. At this, the left retained control of the General Council, and the leader of the ‘official’ Socialists, Dominique Larifla, became its President. The apathy and disillusionment of the general population was, however, reflected in a turn-out of just 15 per cent. The result was repeated, with the same lack of enthusiasm on the part of the electorate, in 1998. Government: The Government Commissioner on Guadeloupe represents France, and the islands send four representatives to the National Assembly in Paris. There is a 42-member General Council and a 41-member Regional Council which have local legislative and executive powers on the islands and are directly elected for a maximum of six years. 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