Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is one of the islands in the West Indies (Caribbean Sea). The overseas possession of France included the islands of Bas-Terre and Grand-Terre, they are separated by the Rivier-Sales Strait.

Language.

French.

Time.

The time difference between Moscow and Guadeloupe is seven hours.

Population.

382,704 people (2019).

In Guadeloupe live blacks, mulattoes, whites, Indians, Arabs, Chinese.

Religion.

Most of the islanders profess Catholicism - 95%, the rest of the believers - Hinduism, followers of African cults, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses.

Climate.

Tropical, the average air temperature in the year from + 24 C to + 27 C.

June-December is the rainy season, hurricanes are possible. Precipitation: 1500 - 2000 mm per year.

The sea temperature is kept year-round at + 25 C.

Currency.

Euro.

Visa regime.

Customs regulations.

Without duties, you can import: up to 1 liter of strong alcohol, up to 200 pcs. cigarettes, 500 g of coffee, 100 g of tea, up to 50 g of perfume.

It is prohibited to import and export narcotic and psychotropic substances, artifacts of historical value, ammunition and weapons, vegetables and plants. When importing medicines for personal use, you need a prescription certified by a doctor or lawyer. Imported animals must have a vaccination document.

Resorts.

Guadeloupe National Park is considered the main attraction of the islands. On its territory you can admire rivers, lakes and waterfalls with crystal clear water, orchids and ferns, hevea and redwood grow in it.

On the islands there are other nature reserves: Park de Mamelier, Bras Devis, Park of Zoology and Botany, the center of Mason de la Fore.

Beach lovers will appreciate the many kilometers of sandy beaches of the islands, there are beaches with black and white sand; the most popular area for a serene holiday is St. Rose, the Gosier Coast, Ba du Fort. On the coast there is a marine reserve Cousteau, where you can see seahorses, jellyfish, tropical fish, actiniums and other deep-sea inhabitants. Tourists will be pleasantly surprised by the untwisted infrastructure of resorts: on the coast there are nightclubs, bars, restaurants, casinos, many of which come from France.

On the island of Bas-Ter in the eponymous reserve, hiking trails are laid, and on a walk, if lucky, you can see rare tropical birds and animals.

Tourists on the islands will be offered educational excursions to sugar cane plantations.

Kitchen.

The local cuisine is inextricably linked with the gastronomic traditions of France, and in recent years the customs of China, Mexico and India have appeared in it.

Fish and seafood are the main dishes on the tables of Guadalupes. Sea crabs are stuffed, baked with bananas, boiled. Popular dishes from lobster, lucian, sea turtle. Broths are boiled from shellfish, from lobsters - make brioches, "tinin-lan-more" - an unusual assortment of fish and meat with vegetables.

Meat dishes: roasted rabbit and pigeon, wild goat and chickens. On the side dishes serve potatoes, rice, beans, cassava, sliced local vegetables.

Drinks: fresh fruit juices: pineapple, orange, tangerine, papaya, sugar cane, guava, maracuya, etc. Local alcohol: punch and rum, French wine.

Traditions.

In Guadeloupe, the crime rate is very low, but you should carefully monitor personal belongings and not leave them unattended. The attitude to clothes on the islands is quite democratic, but you should not appear at official events and in a restaurant in beach outfits.

Guadeloupe residents are sociable, friendly, but before shooting locals should ask them permission. Also in communication should take into account their traditional slowness and calm in business.

One of Guadeloupe’s popular entertainment traditions is cockfighting or wolf running.

In Guadeloupe, they love and know how to have fun. In the summer months, the islands hold motorcycle races, beauty contests and festivals of folk culture. The city of Pointe-a-Pitre every year becomes a center of fun and entertainment during the carnival, where it is customary to burn the stuffed carnival king - Vaval. In summer, a holiday is held dedicated to Victor Schelscher, a writer and public figure of France, an opponent of slavery.

Photo: laguadeloupe