Baie-Mahault
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Commune of Baie-Mahault |
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| Location | |
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| Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe | |
| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Guadeloupe |
| Department | Guadeloupe |
| Arrondissement | Basse-Terre |
| Canton | Baie-Mahault |
| Intercommunality | none as of 2007 |
| Mayor | Ary Chalus (2001-2007) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 0 m–m |
| Land area¹ | 46.0 km² |
| Population² (1999 census) |
23,389 |
| - Density | 508/km² (1999) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 97103/ 97122 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
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Baie-Mahault is the fourth most populated commune in the French overseas région and département of Guadeloupe, in the Lesser Antilles. It is part of the urban area of Pointe-à-Pitre, the largest conurbation in Guadeloupe. In the 1999 census, Baie-Mahault had a population of 23,389. The commune has a land area of 46.0 km² (17.761 sq mi). The population density is 508 persons per sq. km. The inhabitants of Baie-Mahault are called Baie-Mahaultiens.
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[edit] History
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The Bay-Mahault, its name would originate in a variety of mangrove called the mahault or mahot. It is certain that the area was covered with it, but no text confirms this etymology. Naval station in 18th century, principal home port of the flibustiers and the corsairs. It had colonists in this place before Cardinal Richelieu sponsored the company of the Indies. With the local battery, formerly there was a place made out of guns created by Sir John Grey and John Jervis. In 1643, Charles Houel, ainé brother of Mr. of the Game preserve, captain to the guards of the king, succeeded Aubert, in the capacity as governor of the Guadeloupe. In 1648, the company of the islands of Americas was ruined, on sale puts all the grounds of the Guadeloupe, on May 20 of this same year is written, in Paris, the final sale contract to the profit of Sieurs Houel and Boisseret, two brothers-in-law. Charles Houel takes the south-west of the Low-Ground to Saint-Rose, like Marie-Gallant and Désirade. All the vast territory which leaves the Salted River to the Guavas was included at the end of 18th century in the marquis of Houelbourg. It was the field of Mr. Houel. One always called this Saint-Germain ground until 1707, date on which the king set up in Marquis in favor of Mr. Houel, under the name of Houelbourg. Bay-Mahault was set up in district at the time of the foundation of the parish of Midsummer's Day Baptiste, Patron saint of the commune, was celebrated on June 24. The first borough of the district had been built on the dwelling Small-Ground belonging to Mr. de Berville, then in Marquis of Jaille, whose military camp perpetuates the name.
In October 1865, the epidemic of cholera taken of the dramatic proportions. In Guadeloupe, from October 1865 at June 1866, 12,000 inhabitants perished by the cholera. According to would the municipal files, the commune of Mahault Bay, have been among the first common to being touched by the epidemic? Only one doctor had been placed at the disposal of the patients of the commune. At March 8, 1866, the evaluation of the deaths which had with the epidemic would be assembled to 770 people for a population at the time of 4,930 people, that is to say, 15-62% of disappeared!
The town of Mahault Bay will continue on its impetus, in 1910, the Darboussier Factory builds on its territory. In 1918, the establishment of a radio station, the TSF was completed. It is with the turn of the installation of an electric factory into 1934 which will entirely feed the Guadeloupe. In 1928 a devastating hurricane, Okeechobee Hurricane, which destroyed, practically all throughout the borough of the town. The church and the presbytery, were rebuilt only in 1933! Forty years were enough to process Baie Mahault definitively, with an acceleration of the modernization of the commune, construction of the bridge of Gabarre and especially the adjustment of the industrial and commercial park of Jarry, become since, one of largest of all France in the 1980s! In 2001, Ary Chalus became mayor.
[edit] Geography
Baie-Mahault (Mangrove Bay) is located in the borough called Canton and it extends a vast plain of northeastern Basse-Terre, where the two islands meet. Baie-Mahault range is limited to the Low Valley of Large River of Guava, heights of Hydrants and marine bottoms of bag irrigated by the salted river. The town diversified by arable lands of a very great richness as well as coasts bordering a marine site surprising! The mangrove swamps are a few miles east at the Salted River. Baie-Mahault is 5 km northwest of the city of Pointe-à-Pitre.
[edit] Climate
Baie-Mahault experiences a good amount of rainfall during the year, with a wetter season between July and November which coincides with hurricane season. The town receives 1500-2000 mm of rainfall. Tropical heat brings constant highs of around 32°C (89°F) that drop to 20°C (68°F) at night. Trade winds, called alizés, blow from the northeast and often temper the climate. The hurricane season occurs from June to November.
[edit] Economy
The town is surrounded by one major crop: sugarcane. A sugar factory is southwest of Baie-Mahault. Cane cutters cut cane and sometimes transport them by ox-cart. Southwards, are some banana and pineapple plantations. Its land arable make a privileged zone of it, not only for its production, but also for the development which it generates. These grounds are of a great richness with a handiness around 45%! There is a fishing port. Basse-Terre grows more crops than Grande-Terre, but has fewer people and most of them are in the primary sector. The artisanal, commercial, industrial zone of Jarry, with more than 3500 companies is placed in the very first places of the industrial parks of France. Its agriculture animates and provides for the formation with the future executives and technicians by trainings given with the mixed agricultural college with the town.
[edit] Sights
There is one hotel, Villa Baie Mahault, in walking distance to Baie-Mahault.
At the end of the borough, below the town hall, a landing stage located at the edge of the lagoon, is the starting point of boats making it possible to discover the islets of the Marine Large-Bottom-of-Bag. This has become a tourist sight point of interest and tours can be arranged.
The shopping center of Destreland is located near Baie-Mahault, where you can buy French imports such as cologne, perfumes, clothing, etc.
The industrial park of Jarry has an oil terminal, two electrical and thermal power stations for the many industrial and commercial businesses & a logistic center for the CCI.
A sandy beach near Mahault Bay is protected by coral reefs.
On Pointe Double, you can see a phare(lighthouse) and a gare de temps(weather station).
A former leprosarium or leper's house, which was operated by the Soeurs de la Charite and closed in 1954.
[edit] External links
- Official website (in French)
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