Basse-Terre
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- Basse-Terre should not be confused with Basseterre on St Kitts.
Basse-Terre is the name of the western of the two largest islands of Guadeloupe. Its population is currently 175,000.
Climate
Although it is difficult to measure rainfall in short periods of time, the Guinness World Records 2005 lists Basse-Terre as having the record for the most intense rainfall in a short period recorded by modern methods. On 26 November 1970, 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain fell in one minute at Basse-Terre.
Geography
La Grande Soufrière, the tallest mountain in the Lesser Antilles, is located on the island. It rises to 4,813 ft (1,467 m) high. It is an active volcano.
Towns
Basse-Terre is also the préfecture (administrative capital) of France's Caribbean overseas département of Guadeloupe, which is on Basse-Terre island.
The urban area of Basse-Terre had a population of 44,864 inhabitants at the 1999 census, 12,410 of whom lived in the city (commune) proper of Basse-Terre.
Basse-Terre is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean.
The city was founded in 1643, in the mountainous section of the island. It was destroyed many times as a consequence of the Anglo-French wars. It has remained a very charming city up till this day.
External links
- * Mapping from [Multimap] or [GlobalGuide]
- * Aerial image from [TerraServer]
- * Satellite image from [WikiMapia] or [Google Maps]
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