Top 10 facts about Guadeloupe

Top 10 facts about Guadeloupe

Ideally situated in the northern Caribbean Sea, the gorgeous islands of Guadeloupe have drawn international travelers for decades. Never heard of it? It’s time to discover this stunning place. So if you’re curious, keep reading to discover our top 10 facts about Guadeloupe.

1. Guadeloupe is an archipelago

Rather than being just one island, Guadeloupe is actually made up of six! Part of the French West Indies and covering 1,628 square kilometers, Guadeloupe is quite a sizeable archipelago for the Caribbean. Feel like island hopping? It’s just a quick flight or ferry ride between the islands, and all of them are inhabited.

2. Guadeloupe looks like a butterfly

Photo by Thomas Pesquet sourced from Pinterest

While there are five islands that technically make up the Guadeloupe archipelago, the territory is separated into two main islands: Grande Terre and Basse Terre. The mountainous Basse Terre provides perfect contrast with sunnier Basse Terre where you’ll find stunning beaches and immense sugar cane fields.

One of the top 10 facts about Guadeloupe is that it resembles a butterfly when seen from above! You’d have to be pretty lucky to score an aerial view like that though.

3. Guadeloupe is home to an active volcano

Photo by Michael Leatham on Wikimedia Commons

Guadeloupe is a tropical paradise, but it doesn’t come without natural wonders as well. There are currently 19 active volcanoes in the lesser Antilles, and Guadeloupe is home to one of the most impressive.

Located on Basse Terre, La Soufrière stands 1,467 meters high, making it one of the tallest peaks in the Caribbean. While the volcano is active, the last eruption was back in 1977.

4. There are only two seasons in Guadeloupe

Due to its tropical climate, Guadeloupe only recognizes two seasons during the year. From January to June, the island archipelago has the dry season, called “Lent”. And during the months from July to December, there is the wet season which locals call “Winter”.

If you’re planning to visit Guadeloupe, the best time by far is during the dry season. The weather is still plenty warm in the dry season with the average temperature staying around 27°C (around 80°F).

5. Guadeloupe is actually considered part of France

Photo by Jonathan Salaun on Wikimedia Commons

One of the most interesting facts about Guadeloupe is that the archipelago is  technically considered a part of France. Yes, that’s right. France actually has five such ‘overseas territories’: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, Reunion, and Mayotte.

This idea of overseas territories dates back to French colonialism, but today these places are considered part of France, and the E.U. Residents of all overseas territories are French citizens and hold the same rights as citizens in mainland France.

6. The original name for Guadelope was Karukera

The indigenous people of Guadeloupe gave their island home its original name Karukera. When translated into English, it means ‘island of beautiful waters’. And once you set foot in Guadeloupe, you’ll see why.

The crystal clear blue waters that surround the island are captivating. So this makes for some excellent swimming, snorkeling, and diving opportunities.

7. Guadeloupe is one of the outermost regions of the E.U.

That’s right! As Guadeloupe is actually part of France, it’s part of the E.U. as well! Situated in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, Guadeloupe is nearly 7,000 kilometers from mainland France. But Guadeloupe isn’t the furthest French or E.U. territory, it’s actually French Guiana. Located a whopping 7,086 kilometers from mainland France in South America, French Guiana is the outermost region of France, and the E.U.

8. Coral reefs surround Guadeloupe

Photo sourced from Wikimedia Commons

From rugged mountains to picturesque beaches, there’s a little bit of everything in Guadeloupe. But one of the top 10 facts about Guadeloupe is that these islands are home to some incredible coral reefs. This makes Guadeloupe one of the  most famous places for scuba diving and snorkeling in the entire world!

9. Guadeloupe has a gorgeous national park

Photo by Yannick Walrave on Wikimedia Commons

This 960 square kilometer national park really showcases the natural beauty of Guadeloupe. From mountain peaks to lush forest waterfalls and stunning sandy beaches, there’s plenty to see and do here. And, the park is surrounded by a marine reserve; offering a chance to see the island’s diverse marine life up close.

10. Guadeloupe is famous for their Rhum Agricole

Despite being one of the world’s most important sugarcane producers, Guadeloupe harnessed the crop to create something even more famous: rum. Or more specifically, Rhum Agricole.

This special type of rum originated in the French Caribbean, and it’s believed to have been developed right here on Guadeloupe. Rhum Agricole is made from distilling fresh sugarcane juice, rather than molasses like traditional rum. This Rhum Agricole is smoother in taste, and highly sought after. Some say Guadeloupe has the best rum in the whole world!

Well, there you have it; our top 10 fun facts about Guadeloupe. I hope you’ll get the chance to discover this incredible place!