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Discover Guadeloupe: 7 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Tropical Paradise!

illustration of guadeloupe
Get ready to dive into an exciting treasure trove of fascinating tidbits as we explore the lesser-known, yet utterly captivating, fun facts about the enchanting island of Guadeloupe!

1. Volcano's Earthquake Dance

Next time you find yourself in a shaky situation, just think about this tropical paradise's waltz with Mother Nature: Guadeloupe's Soufrière volcano experienced an intense period of over 800 earthquake tremors from November 1975 to April 1976, but didn't burst into an eruption until July 8, 1976, when a 300-meter-long crack formed on its southeast flank.
Source => volcano.si.edu

2. Stamps: Guadeloupe's Hidden Gems

If you thought philately, the art of stamp collecting, was a mere hobby for retirees and introverts, think again: Guadeloupe's captivating world of stamp collecting flaunts a myriad of rare treasures, such as the 1892 Peace and Commerce series, 1903 Navigation and Commerce overprints, and the 1928 Harbor Scenes set, ensuring that this vibrant island's splendid stamps lure connoisseurs like bees to flowers.
Source => ebay.com

3. The Solo Artist Woodpecker

Whoever said "birds of a feather flock together" clearly hadn't met the Guadeloupe woodpecker — a solo artist who jams to its own pecking tunes in the Caribbean paradise: The Parc National de la Guadeloupe is a sprawling 173 square kilometers of volcanic islands, mangroves, and tropical rainforests, and serves as the exclusive stage for this unique bird species, which can't be found anywhere else on Earth.
Source => nationsonline.org

4. National Park: Woodpeckers, Pitcher Plants & Coconuts

Ready to embark on a Caribbean escapade, where woodpeckers play the drums and plants serve drinks? Hold onto your coconuts, folks: Guadeloupe is home to the only National Park in the French Caribbean, covering 74 square miles of diverse landscapes, rare species like the Guadeloupe Woodpecker and the Sainte-Anne Pitcher Plant, and attractions such as Carbet Falls and educational exhibits.
Source => jstor.org

Dance From Guadeloupe to Paris

5. Dance From Guadeloupe to Paris

If you're ever itching to swap your Caribbean rum for a glass of Parisian wine, here's a tip: waltz onboard, sans mambo, with one of three dapper dance partners – Corsair, Air France, or Air Caraibes: Each of these airlines offer non-stop flights from Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe to Paris, taking approximately 8 hours and 5 minutes with three daily direct flights whisking you off to either Orly Airport or Charles De Gaulle Airport, depending on your airline choice and flight number.
Source => flightsfrom.com

6. Guadeloupe's Great Divide

You thought Brexit was a big deal? Wait till you hear about Guadeloupe's great divide: The Rivière Salée, a natural saltwater mangrove channel, separates Guadeloupe into two distinct islands – Basse Terre with its towering mountains and Grande Terre with its gentle hills and flatlands. Sailor cruisers can mosey on through this picturesque mangrove, coordinating with specific bridge openings, all while admiring the unique flora and fauna that call this wondrous waterway home.
Source => sail-world.com

7. Poets, Rum, and Berets

Do poets wear berets and sip rum instead of espresso? The secret could be in the waters of Guadeloupe: this Caribbean gem is home to two literary greats, Saint-John Perse and Maryse Condé. Saint-John Perse, a French poet-diplomat, donned his laurel wreath after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1960, and Maryse Condé, a sparkling French novelist, critic, and playwright, has her bookshelf decorated with prestigious literary awards for exploring the African diaspora, slavery, and colonialism in captivating prose. Friends, raise your glasses (and bookworms, your bookmarks) in honor of these masters!
Source => pantheon.world

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