Location:
Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of
Puerto Rico
Map
references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 1,780 sq km
land area: 1,706 sq km
comparative area: 10 times the size of Washington, DC
note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands,
of which Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, and Marie-Galante are the
three largest
Land
boundaries: 0 km
Coastline:
306 km
Maritime
claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate:
subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity
Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior
mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the
seven other islands are volcanic in origin
Natural
resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster
tourism
Land
use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 24%
Irrigated
land: 30 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere
is an active volcano international agreements: NA
