Guadaloupe Coast

Guadeloupe’s coast surrounds two principal islands, mountainous Basse-Terre and lower Grande-Terre, as well as smaller neighbouring islands. Columbus reached the archipelago in 1493; French colonists took possession in 1635 after confronting its Indigenous inhabitants. During the French Revolution Victor Hugues recaptured Guadeloupe from Britain and abolished slavery there, but French authorities restored slavery in 1802 after resistance on the island was defeated.