Geographical location of the archipelago

Guadeloupe, due to its formation and its position on the two arcs of the Caribbean, is both volcanic and limestone.

Named “the island of beautiful waters” by pre-Columbian populations, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west.

In fact, Guadeloupe is composed of two main islands: Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. However, it is also an archipelago that includes other, smaller islands: La Désirade, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, and Petite-Terre.

Geology and landscape of the archipelago

An archetype of a dual formation: limestone and volcanic, the archipelago is a jewel in terms of biodiversity. Basse-Terre, a predominantly volcanic island, is home to the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, the Soufrière volcano (1,467 meters). It produces hot springs, rivers, a lush evergreen forest, and diverse plant and animal species. Les Saintes, the islands south of Basse-Terre, were formed by effusive, explosive, and underwater eruptions.

On the other side, on the predominantly limestone island of Grande-Terre, as well as Marie-Galante and Petites Terres, the landscapes are quite different. These are limestone plateaus emerging a few dozen or hundreds of meters above the surface. The green, mountainous landscapes contrast with the limestone coastline reminiscent of Etretat in France or Durdle Door in England.

Grande-Terre, dotted with karst sinkholes, is formed in valleys, particularly in the “Grands-Fonds” area of ​​Grande-Terre. These areas therefore combine mesophilic habitats and species (in the bottoms and depressions) and xerophilic habitats (on the ridges). Furthermore, the mesophilic environments are lush and differ from the rest of Grande-Terre.

Finally, it can be said that the two areas, due to their geology, exert an influence on climate factors: cyclones, rainfall, sunshine, and on vegetation and flora.

These ecosystems offer exceptional biological richness, the endemism of which is amplified by their insularity. On the seaward side, the islets and the barrier reef around the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin are home to coral fauna of great ecological interest. The coastal fringes of this bay feature several wetland coastal formations, essential for maintaining natural balances. On land, the tropical forest of Basse-Terre is one of the best preserved in the Lesser Antilles.

Flora

Guadeloupe’s flora includes 1,863 vascular plants, 214 of which are endemic to the Lesser Antilles, and 24 are strictly endemic to Guadeloupe.

Thus, the island’s emblematic species include the white gum tree (Dacryodes excelsa), the gray mapou tree (Pisonia subcordata), and the local pear tree (Tabebuia heterophylla).

Although ecosystems are threatened by invasive alien species and the harmful effects of humans, the protection of the Guadeloupe National Park ensures the conservation of 61% of the endangered flora present and protected in the heart of the park. The tropical forest of Basse-Terre is one of the best preserved in the Lesser Antilles.

Fauna

Guadeloupe’s fauna, like the richness of its landscapes, is highly diverse. There are no fewer than 10 species of terrestrial mollusks, as well as an endemic bird: the Guadeloupe Woodpecker, at least one species of bat, and various species of reptiles and amphibians. The marine environment, which is very rich, boasts a great diversity of corals, fish, turtles, and marine mammals.