La desirade [ clarify ] ( fr. La Désirade ) - an island and commune of France located in the Caribbean . Administratively, it is a commune in the district of Pointe- à -Pitre in the overseas department of Guadeloupe in France.
| La desirade | |
|---|---|
| fr La desirade | |
 La Desirade in the east | |
| Specifications | |
| Square | 21.42 km² |
| Highest point | 276 m |
| Population | 1595 people (2006) |
| Population density | 74.46 people / km² |
| Location | |
| Water area | Caribbean sea |
| A country |
|
| Region | Guadeloupe |
Geography
The island of La Desirade lies in the Caribbean and is included in the group of the Lesser Antilles . The highest point of the island is the mountain of Grand Montagne with a height of 276 meters. The island has an elongated shape with a length of 11 kilometers and a width of 2 kilometers. Its area is 21.42 km².
History
The island of La Desirade was discovered by Christopher Columbus on November 2, 1493 after a long and tedious voyage, which is why he received his name Desiderada (Long-awaited) . In 1648 he became part of the French colony of Guadeloupe. From 1728 to 1952, there was a station for keeping leprosy patients from all French Antilles.
Population and Economy
The administrative center of the island of La Desirade is the town of Beauséjour in its south-west, where most of the 1,595 inhabitants of the island live (for 2006). From Bozežura, the only highway that connects the main city with the other three island settlements, Baie Mahault, Le Galets and Le Souffleur, passes through La Desirade. The island airport and the sea harbor are also located in Bozejur.
The main activities of local residents are fishing and tourist services.
Literature
- Les Îles de Guadeloupe. Archipel de Decouvertes. Comite du Tourisme des Îles de Guadeloupe , 5. square de la Banque, 97 166 Pointe-a-Pitre, 2012.