GUADELOUPE
(The island state, Overseas department of France - Guadeloupe.)

Date of creation: 1674.
Population: 426 493 persons.
Area: 1 628 sq.km.
Currency: Euro (EUR, code 978).
Language: French, English, Creole патоис (local)
Country arrangement: In east part of the Caribbean Sea (is closer to India)
Visa: It is required


ABOUT THE COUNTRY

Guadeloupe is possession of France since 1635 and department of France since 1946. In July, 2000 the population was 426 493 persons. The economy strongly depends on tourism, but demands significant assistance from France. In 1998 unemployment rate was 27,8 percent, and GDP was per capita estimated at 9 000 dollars in 1996. Though French is official language, most of the population says about Creole that it is an important element of cultural unity of society of Guadeloupe.

As Guadeloupe is department of France, an education system same, as well as in France. Education is obligatory within 10 years aged from 6 up to 16 years. Academic year passes from first week in September until the end of June. The school calendar included the following holidays: one day in Mi-Karema (the middle of the Lent) and in Day of release (Day of cancellation) at the end of May, one week in La Toussaint (All Saints' Day) at the beginning of November and in the Carnival at the end of February and two weeks in Noel (Christmas) and Pak (Easter). French is training language.

NATURE

Almost all mountains of Basse-Terre are covered with the vlazhnotropichesky woods. During the colonial period they strongly thinned from cuttings, but nevertheless preparation of the wood for export continues. On Grand Tere are felled already almost completely trees. The fauna of Guadeloupe is poor and presented generally by birds, lizards and small rodents. The only endemic bird species — Guadeloupe меланерпес. In 1880 to Guadeloupe mongooses — for extermination of the rats spoiling landings of a sugar cane were delivered. Mongooses quickly bred, destroyed the most part of rats, but at the same time caused a considerable loss to island fauna — birds and small mammals.

EDUCATION

In a campus of Guadeloupe of the University of the Antilles and Gaaynsky schools there are schools of exact and natural sciences, the rights and economies, science and technology in the field of physical and sports activity and medicine. Transfer in 1998 made about 5300 students with the academic personnel in 130 people. At Institute of development of education (University institute of training of teachers) which is connected with the university there is a center in Guadeloupe for training of teachers. Receipt requires the license (the bachelor's degree). The program lasts two years, the first for further specialization in discipline, and the second for training of teachers in this discipline. The continuing education and training is carried out through the Center of national d'Enseignement a Distance (The national center of distance learning).