What is the capital of Guadeloupe?

Capital	Basse-Terre
Government Type	NA
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Total Area	687 Square Miles 1,780 Square Kilometers
Location	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico
Language	French (official) 99%, Creole patois
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$0.00 (USD)

What is the population of Guadeloupe?

Ethnic Groups	black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Nationality Adjective	Guadeloupe
Nationality Noun	Guadeloupian(s)
Predominant Language	French (official) 99%, Creole patois

What type of government does Guadeloupe have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Paul GIROT DE LANGLADE (since... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
• National Holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) More
• Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) More
• Independence: none (overseas department of France) More

What environmental issues does Guadeloupe have?

• Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity More
• Border Countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km More
• Environment - Current Issues: NA More
• Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are... More

How big is the Guadeloupe economy?

• Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism More
• Currency Name and Code: Euro (EUR) More
• Export Partners: France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% More
• Import Partners: France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2% More

What current events are happening in Guadeloupe?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Guadeloupe?

• Christopher Columbus, in the service of Spain, visited the islands in 1493.
  
  Columbus named Guadeloupe "Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Extremadura" after the statue of the Virgin Mary in a Spanish monastery.
  
• Early inhabitants of the islands were Arawak and Carib people from South America.
• The Amerindian inhabitants called Guadeloupe "Karukera" which means "Island of Beautiful Waters".

What makes Guadeloupe a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

The French West Indies consists of the islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Martin (the French side) and St. Barthélemy. These islands are well developed. French is the official language on these islands; English is widely spoken in St. Martin and St. Barthelemy, but much less so in Martinique and Guadeloupe. U.S. currency is widely accepted in St. Martin and St. Barthélemy. If visiting Guadeloupe and Martinique, you will need to use a credit card or change your U.S. currency to Euros.

Crime

Petty street crime, including purse snatching, occurs throughout the French West Indies. On occasion, tourists are injured during the commission of these crimes. Visitors should take care whenever traveling to safeguard valuables and always lock hotel rooms and car doors.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the French West Indies, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the French West Indies, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating French West Indian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the French West Indies are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in the French West Indies, authorities are not required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Relatively good medical care is available throughout the French West Indies. Not all doctors speak or understand English. Hyperbaric chambers are available in Guadeloupe at the Center Hospital University in Abymes and in Martinique at the Center Hospital University in Fort de France.

Safety and Security

Demonstrations and strikes, usually caused by labor disputes, can occur and can have a substantial effect on all sectors of society, including halting many social services. Commercial activities, including fuel sales and flights, can be curtailed significantly or shut down entirely. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. While not common, these strikes significantly impact the tourism industry in the French West Indies, and U.S.citizens should avoid the islands when a strike is ongoing. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and become a fan of the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on facebook as well.

You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in the French West Indies, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Driving in the French West Indies is on the right side of the road. Children under 12 are not legally allowed in the front seat. Seatbelt laws are strictly enforced. The roads in the French West Indies are the best in the Eastern Caribbean. Roads are well paved and well maintained. Main roads are well marked; secondary roads and tourist sites are adequately marked. Excellent maps are available and local residents are helpful, especially if greeted in a friendly manner. Both Martinique and Guadeloupe have expressways. Traffic safety is enforced by the police. Night driving can be dangerous, especially in the mountains and on winding rural roads. Public transportation in the form of taxis, vans, and buses is relatively safe. For specific information concerning French West Indies driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the French National Tourist Organization offices at: http://www.franceguide.com/.