Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe, a West Indian island of the Lesser Antilles, 62 miles from Martinique, and about 4,000 miles from Brest. It is French territory. A salt channel, called "La Riviere Salee," from 100 to 400 feet wide, separates the island into two parts, Grande Terre and Basse Terre. The former of these is on the W., and has a length of 28 miles from N. to S., with a width of 12 to 15 miles. The latter is 22 miles N. to S., and 34 S.E. to N.W. By a curious contradiction in terms, Basse Terre is hilly and of volcanic origin, and rises to a height of 4,870 feet, and has many streams which are liable to sudden rises during the rain storms. Grande Terre, on the other hand, is flat, and water is scarce, the inhabitants having to rely upon the ponds for their supply. The temperature is generally pleasant, but the island is liable to heavy storms, and the rainfall is excessive. Among the productions are sugar, coffee, cotton, yams, bananas, and other tropical fruits, and there is some production of tobacco, vanilla, and cloves. The town of Basse Terre, situated in the southwest portion of the island, is the capital.