|RConstitution:|N Republic. A French Overseas Department.
|RNature and climate:|N A group of islands among the Leeward islands in the West Indies.
The two biggest, Basse-Terre and Grande-Basse are separated by the 30 to 120 m wide Salt River (Rivière Salée). Close to these lies Marie Galante, La Désirade, Îles des Saintes and some other small islands.
St Martin and St Barthélemy lie 250 km to the northwest. The southern third of St Martin island is Dutch.
Most islands are of vulcanic origin and the highest peak is the extinct vulcano Siufrière at Basse-Terre that reaches 1 484 m.a.s.l. and is the highest peak of the West Indies.
Coral reefs and mangroveswaps at many places.
Average temperature by the coast 25 to 28°C througout the year. Percipitation between 1000 and 2000 mm.
|RPeople:|N Most of the inhabitants are descendents of slaves. 77% are mulatto, 10% black and 10% mestizo. On St Barthélemy and Les Saintes most people are descendents of Breton and Norman settlers from the 17th century.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture is the main industry followed by tourism.
Bananas accounts for 43% of export value, sugar for 10% and rum for 7%.
Stockraizing and forestry also important, as well as fishing.
|RHistory:|N The two main islands were discovered by Columbus in 1493. They were called Karukera (Isle of Beautiful Waters) by the original Carib inhabitants.
In 1635 a French colony was established.
In 1946 the status was changed to an Overseas Department and in 1974 it was made an administrative region of its own.
During short periods the islands were occupied by British forces, 1759-63, 1794 and 1810-1813, and from 1813 to 1814 by Sweden.
