French Guadeloupe year 1892/1903 – MH/Used stamps

French Guadeloupe year 1892/1903 – MH/Used stamps

Guadeloupe is an overseas region and department of France located in the Caribbean. It consists of a group of islands, the main ones being Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, which are separated by a narrow sea channel. Other smaller islands, such as Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and Les Saintes, are also part of the Guadeloupe archipelago.

The history of Guadeloupe is marked by colonization, slavery, and a mix of European, African, and Indigenous cultures. Christopher Columbus first sighted the islands in 1493 during his second voyage to the Americas, but it was the French who established settlements there in the 17th century.

Guadeloupe became a French colony, and like many Caribbean islands, it relied heavily on plantation agriculture, particularly sugar production, which was fueled by enslaved African labor. The abolition of slavery in the French Empire in 1848 brought significant changes to the social and economic structure of Guadeloupe.

In the 20th century, Guadeloupe transitioned to become an overseas department of France, which means it is fully integrated into the French Republic and governed by French law. It is also part of the European Union. This status gives Guadeloupeans French citizenship, access to social services, and the right to vote in French elections.