The country is an archipelago, overseas territory, and region of France in the Caribbean. It is made up of six inhabited islands namely Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, two Îles des Saintes and several uninhabited islands and outcroppings. It is located to the south of Antigua and Barbuda, and north of Dominica. The capital city is Basse-Terre which is on the southwest coast of Basse-Terre Island. Its most populous city is Les Abymes and the major hub of business in Pointe-à-Pitre, the two cities are located on Grande-Terre Island. The nation has a population of over 384,239 persons. As with other overseas departments, it is a part of France. Being a constituent territory of the EU and the Eurozone, any European Union citizen is allowed entry to reside and work within the island indefinitely, even though it is not a Schengen member state. The region previously included Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, but they were detached from it in 2007.
if you are interested in knowing about the diplomatic relations of this country, this article provides information on the foreign diplomatic relations of Guadeloupe and other bilateral relations.
About the country
The country, Martinique, La Réunion, Mayotte, and French Guiana are overseas departments of France. It is both a region and a department fused into one entity. It is also the European Union’s most remote territory. The people of Guadeloupe are French citizens with full legal rights. Its economy relies on tourism, agriculture, light industry, and services sectors. It depends on France for large subsidies and imports. The rate of unemployment is particularly high amongst the population. In 2017, the Gross domestic product of the country was €9.079 billion with imports amounting to €3.019 billion, and exports to €1.157 billion. Its major export products are bananas, sugar, and rum. Tourism is a prominent source of income, with most visitors coming from France and North America and a large number of cruise ships visiting the cruise terminal in Pointe-à-Pitre. The sugar cane crop which used to be its top export product is being replaced by other crops, like bananas, eggplant, sapotilla, giraumon squash, yam, gourd, plantain, cocoa, jackfruit, pomegranate, and other varieties of flowers. When it comes to the light industries, sugar and rum production, cement, solar energy, furniture, and clothing are mostly produced. However, lots of manufactured goods and fuel are imported from France.
Body in charge of foreign relations and affairs
France is in charge of managing all foreign relations in the interests of the territory. The duties of the government of France include ensuring proper processes are abided by when seeking relations and improving existing bilateral relations with other countries through partnerships here.
Countries with diplomatic relations
The state has close relations with the UK, US, and other countries in the region including having some diplomatic missions in major countries and top European cities. It maintains diplomatic ties with various nations throughout the globe.
Bilateral relations of the country
The government of Guadeloupe allows the government of France to partake in political and diplomatic dialogues in the Lesser and Greater Antilles, and Latin and North America. it signed the Regional Convention for the Internationalisation of Enterprise (CRIE), became a member of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and was a part of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). This has helped the state to grow its bilateral and multilateral relations within the framework of international institutions. The fostering of bilateral and multilateral economic partnerships with many countries in the Caribbean and American region is based on the modernization of the autonomous port in the state. As well as the Guadeloupe-Polo Caribe international airport. The island has strong relations with North America, a reason it is home to a large community of citizens looking for better opportunities. With an increase in the bilateral relations between the US and France, there will be better cooperation and trade between the country and the former.
