Guadeloupe is a group of islands in the West Indies, about 300 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. The archipelago consists of two main islands, a small island group called Îles des Saintes, and five small islands. It covers a total of 687 square miles (1,779 square kilometers).

The larger of the two main islands is called Guadeloupe, or Basse-Terre, and the other is known as Grande-Terre. The five small islands are Marie-Galante, Désirade, Saint-Barthélemy, the northern part of Saint Martin, and Petite-Terre. The town of Basse-Terre, on Basse-Terre Island, is the capital of Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupe has a population of about 440,000. Most of the people are of mixed black and white ancestry.

The principal industry of Guadeloupe is tourism. One of the most popular travel destinations in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe is known for its excellent dive sites, some of the best sailing conditions in the region, and for its beaches, casinos, and nightlife. Pigeon Island and the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Park are considered one of the world's best dive destinations. Agriculture is the only other major source of income in the islands, with bananas, cocoa, coffee, and sugar cane being the principal agricultural products.

Guadeloupe is administered as an overseas department of France. It is governed by a Prefect and an elected General Council. Three deputies represent Guadeloupe in the French National Assembly.

Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Guadeloupe on November 3, 1493, but the Spanish never established a successful colony. The first permanent settlement was established by France in 1635, and it has remained a French possession ever since, except for temporary British occupations between 1759 and 1815. It was formally annexed by France in 1674, and declared an official overseas department in 1946.

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