CAPITAL BASSE-TERRE - POPULATION 408,000 - AREA 1628 SQ KM -OFFICIAL LANGUAGE FRENCH
You may now be able to enter with your EU passport and pay your way in Euros, but the atmosphere in this small and mountainous archipelago of five islands, a French colony for the last four centuries, is still decidedly Creole. Guadeloupe sees the majority of its tourists arrive on cruise ships, but with a little effort independent travelers can easily escape the day-trippers and experience isolated jungle waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and pristine tropical diving waters at the Reserve Cousteau – all washed down by a plethora of sturdy local rums and a big slice of the laid-back good life.
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