Grande-Terre

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grande Terre is also the name of the main island of New Caledonia, and the name of the largest of the Kerguelen Islands.
Grande-Terre Island (bottom) from space, September 1994. North is to the bottom right in this view.
Grande-Terre Island (bottom) from space, September 1994. North is to the bottom right in this view.

The main part of Guadeloupe consists of two islands separated by a salt river and whose combined shape resembles a butterfly. The western island is Basse-Terre and the eastern island is Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre's northernmost point, Pointe de la Grande Vigie, is also the northernmost point in Guadeloupe.

Grande-Terre's indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs and the island itself is a limestone plateau. Its surface is a series of rolling hills, white sand beaches and cliffs. The island's beaches consist of both white and black sands, as well as beaches of golden sand. Of the two islands, Grande-Terre is home to the majority of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.


Coordinates: 16°20′N, 61°25′W