Guadeloupe
What is the origin of the word "GUADELOUPE"?
Father Dutertre (1610 - 1687) was one of the first journalists in Guadeloupe and fell in love with the beauty of the island and its magic and so clear water.
At the same period, there was a well known author called "Lopez" that father Dutertre appreciated very much: this is why he first called the island "Agua de Lopez".
But it's believed that the word "Guadeloupe" was given to the island by Christopher Columbus when he arrived at "Sainte Marie of Capesterre" on November the 4th 1493. It was a way to say thank you to "Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Estremadura" for having saved him from dangers on his first trip to the West Indies.
But if for Spain, the island had no name before they came, the Amerindians, the first people to live here had already given a name to the island: "karukera" which means "the island with beautiful waters".
The island with beautiful waters
The island is divided in two parts and looks like a lovely butterfly.
You can discover "L'arbre du voyageur" or the "journey tree" because it keeps water in his leaves when it's raining.
This way, people who were travelling had always water to drink to keep going their journey.
Basse-Terre is the tropical area with luxuriant vegetation in Guadeloupe. Basse Terre is well known for its mythic volcano: "la Soufriere" and its magical vegetation.
Grande Terre is separated from Basse Terre by the "Salted River".
Grande-Terre is the turquoise beaches area with white and fine sand beaches, where are located most of the hotels in Guadeloupe.
The Carnival of Guadeloupe
The Carbet Falls
How to organize your trip?
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