La Désirade

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Guadeloupe, with La Désirade in the northeast

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.

[edit] Geography

View of La Désirade from the east coast of Guadeloupe. The island has a central plateau.

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°W / 16.317; -61.05Coordinates: 16°19′N 61°3′W / 16.317°N 61.05°W / 16.317; -61.05. 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.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Desirade-sante.com Everything you should know about the major public health crisis that occurred in La Désirade.