Caribbean, at the arc of the Leeward group of islands of the Lesser Antilles.

GMT - 4.

Total: 1,596 sq km (628 sq miles). Basse-Terre: 839 sq km (324 sq miles). Grand-Terre: 564 sq km (218 sq miles). Marie-Galante: 150 sq km (58 sq miles). La Désirade: 29.7 sq km (11.5 sq miles). Les Saintes: 13.9 sq km (5.4 sq miles). St-Barthélemy: 13 sq km (8 sq miles). St-Martin (which shares the island with St Maarten, part of the Netherlands Antilles): 86 sq km (33 sq miles) (the French side: 52 sq km/20 sq miles; the Dutch side: 34 sq km/13 sq miles).

452,776 (official estimate 2006).

283.7 per sq km.

Basse-Terre (administrative). Population: 44,864 (1999 census). Pointe-à-Pitre, on Grande-Terre (commercial centre). Population: 20,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Guadeloupe comprises the larger islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel) and three smaller islands. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande Terre features rolling hills and flat plains. All the islands have beautiful white or black-sand palm-fringed beaches. There are lush mountainous areas with stunning and unspoiled tropical scenery.

Guadeloupe is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic.

President Nicolas Sarkozy since 2007, represented locally by Prefect Paul Girot de Langlade since 2004.

President of the General Council Jacques Gillot since 2001.

Politics in Guadeloupe has been characterised by apathy and disillusionment among the electorate; since the 1990s, elections have attracted votes from just 15% of the population.

The right has had control of the Regional Council since 1992: since 2004 this has been run by Victorin Lurel. A poll for the General Council, held in March 2004, returned Jacques Gillot as president.

The government commissioner on Guadeloupe represents France, and the islands send representatives to the National Assembly in Paris.

At the start of 2009, serious riots broke out over the high cost of living caused by the strength of the Euro - the national currency.

The official language is French. The lingua franca is Creole. English is spoken by professionals and those in the tourism industry.

The majority are Roman Catholic, with a minority of predominantly Evangelical Protestant groups.

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Standard French two-pin plus are used.

The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Casual dress is accepted everywhere, but formal dress is needed for dining out and nightclubs.