La Désirade
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La Désirade is an island in the French overseas région and département of Guadeloupe, in the Lesser Antilles.
It has a land area of 20.64 km² (7,97 sq. miles) and a population of 1,595 in 2006 (down from 1,682 in 1974), with a population density of 77 inh. per km² (200 inh. per sq. mile) in 2006. Most residents live in the settlement of Beauséjour.
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[edit] Geography
The island is located about 8 km off the coast of Grande-Terre, the eastern half of the island of Guadeloupe. Its coordinates are 16°19′N 61°3′W / 16.317°N 61.05°WCoordinates: 16°19′N 61°3′W / 16.317°N 61.05°W. La Désirade is 11 km long and 2 km wide; the interior of the island forms a central plateau.[1]
[edit] Administration
Administratively speaking, the island of La Désirade is part of the commune (municipality) of La Désirade which also includes the uninhabited Petite Terre Islands.
[edit] History
La Désirade was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage, and was the site of a leper colony until 1958.
Tybalt Rosembraise was born on the island of La Désirade in 1798.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Sullivan, Lynne M. Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica & St. Lucia, Hunter Publishing Inc., ISBN 1556508573, p. 345
[edit] External links
- Desirade-sante.com Everything you should know about the major public health crisis that occurred in La Désirade.
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