Basse-Terre Island
Capital township of Guadeloupe Archipelago
Basse-Terre Island is the west part of the biggest and butterfly-shaped island in Guadeloupe Archipelago; it is composed of 16 townships.
The southern portion of Basse-Terre Island includes the capital township of Guadeloupe Archipelago also called Basse-Terre.
Most of administrative offices are in Basse-Terre Island more precisely in the capital. For instance, you can find the Préfecture which is an Administrative authority. The Préfecture is all about making the link between citizens and the government for official documents.
There is also the Regional Council which is an assembly, that oversees the region’s overall policy direction. Their core competencies are transportation, education, culture and sport.
The Departmental Council is also in Basse-Terre township. They are responsible for social and community services, local development, education, culture and heritage.
Finally, if you are going to court, the Courthouse has the same location.
Basse-Terre Island: A mountainous relief
The specificity and diversity of Basse-Terre Island is mainly based on a mountainous relief and rainy weather. This volcanic island is dominated by the Soufrière volcano also called the tall lady, which is the highest mountain peak in the Lesser Antilles.
The mountain range is sheltered in 17,000 ha of tropical forests which has been declared National park of Guadeloupe since 1989.
The tropical forest has an exuberant flora, luxuriant vegetation with more than 3000 trees species as well as a rich fauna.
The west coast of Basse-Terre Island called Leeward Coast has drier climate and vegetation. However, you can still discover beautiful beaches adorned with gold, white, brown and black powdery sand.
With its waterfalls, basins, parks, and lush vegetation, Basse-Terre Island is a place of outstanding natural beauty.
Interesting sites to discover
Here are some unforgettable places that are worth a visit when going to the Island:
- The amazing waterfalls Carbet Falls located in Capesterre-Belle-Eau
- Les roches gravées which is an archeological park in Trois-Rivières
- Dolé hot and therapeutic springs in Gourbeyre
- La Soufrière volcano in Saint-Claude
- Bologne the rum distillery in Basse-Terre
- La Grivelière the coffee and cocoa plantation in Vieux-Habitants
- Réserve Cousteau an internationally renowned and protected underwater park in Bouillante
- Cascade aux Écrevisses a beautiful waterfall along the Route de la Traversée between Pointe-Noire and Petit-Bourg
- La Perle beach a stunning long beach with fine yellow sand in Deshaies
