The Guadeloupe Archipelago includes the large butterfly-shaped principal islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre and numerous smaller islands. The two principal islands are separated by the narrow Salée River.
As observed on the map, the Basse-Terre island is slightly mountainous and lush, with densely forested areas. It’s dominated by a single (still-active) volcano – La Grande Soufriere. Standing at an elevation of 4,813 ft (1,467m), it is the highest point in the Lesser Antilles. The lowest point is the Caribbean Sea (0m). A few small rivers (streams) drain the island of Basse-Terre. Several beaches and bays fringe the island’s coastline.
With only 570 sq. km area, Grande-Terre is mostly a flat limestone-based island, possessing a few coastal mangrove swamps to the north of Point-a-Pitre. The other smaller islands are hilly and volcanic in origin.
Political Map of Guadeloupe
Being an overseas region and department of France, Guadeloupe has no such distinct administrative divisions. However, for the sake of local governance, Guadeloupe has been divided into a total of 32 communes.
Covering a total land area of 1630 sq.km, Guadeloupe is an archipelago of seven inhabited islands: Basse-Terre, La Desirade, Grande-Terre, lles de la Petite Terre, lles des Saintes (2), and Marie-Galante.
Located on the southwestern coast of Basse-Terre island is, Basse-Terre – the capital (prefecture) and the 2nd largest city of Guadeloupe. Situated on the southwestern coast of Grande-Terre island is, Pointe-a-Pitre – the largest city and economic hub of Guadeloupe. It also serves as the industrial and commercial center and the chief port of Guadeloupe. Positioned in the western part of Grande-Terre Island is Les Abymes – the most populous city of Guadeloupe.
Where is Guadeloupe?
The archipelagic nation of Guadeloupe is located in eastern Caribbean, between the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Guadeloupe is a part of the Leeward Islands in the northern Lesser Antilles islands group. It is geographically positioned both in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth. It is situated to the north of Dominica, to the southeast of Puerto Rico and to the south of Montserrat and Antigua and Barbuda.
Regional Maps: Map of North America
Outline Map of Guadeloupe
Key Facts
This page was last updated on February 25, 2021
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