GOURBEYRE

'Gourbeyre' is a French commune situated in the Guadeloupe ''département'' of the régions d'outre-mer of France. As of the 1999 census, the population was 7,362 inhabitants. The surface are is 22.52 km and the population density is 339 persons per sq. km.

Contents

History

Geography

Climate

Economy

Sights

Famous Gourbeyriens

History

The commune of Gourbeyre in old times was always a hinged plate of the defense of the isle of Low - Ground! It is said that it is on the territory of the commune of Gourbeyre, were played the great events of the colony inhabitant of Guadeloupe? The city of
Low - Ground, the capital, according to the historians, would draw his name from Gourbeyre and in particular River Feel? It was a time or River Direction was very important from the population point of view of. From 1640 to 1643, was the government of the Guadeloupe, held by the Aubert governor, its house was regarded at the time as most beautiful of the commune of Gourbeyre, and even of all the isles of the Caribbean one? When Charles Houël, was named governor of the Guadeloupe in 1648, one of his first décisons, was faitre to build the strong Saint Charles, on right bank of the river of the Galleon, moving in fact, the seat of the government! The strong Saint Charles, (who was baptized strong Delgrès in 1989), allowed to resist the attacks of English, like putting at the shelter the French ships.
Back of ass was the old name of the commune of Gourbeyre to the 17th and with the 18th centuries, it was of a capital importance for the colony. The colonists were allured by Dos of ass, there to build their houses, to create their exploitations and also, for the good protection which Dos of ass got! In the event of attack of English, the inhabitants took refuge quickly in Dos of ass.
According to the historians, Dos of ass was at the time an important center for the military operations, because, of the fortifications had been set up in Feel and Bisdary Rivers and of course in Dos of ass. The historians notice, that at the time of the English attacks of 1691 and 1703, the area was impregnable!
Many religious communities had settled in the commune of Gourbeyre. The monks had obtained many agricultural concessions in 1650, granted by the colonial companies.
The dwelling Saint Charles had been allotted to the brothers charity
The dwelling - Pared sugar refinery, has the order of our lady of the mount Carmel
The sugar dwelling of Bisdary to the Jesuits
The latter was vastest with 250 hectares of sugar canes, cultivated, maintained by 400 slaves!
At the beginning of the 19th century, the commune of Gourbeyre had 407 people including, 461 white, 3418 slaves and 168 men non-object colours!
Very serious events occurred on the commune of Gourbeyre, particularly in Dolé, with the revolt of Delgrès being opposed to the Richepanse general, sent by Napoleon. In January 1838, a new municipal organization detached the commune of Gourbeyre, (Back of ass), from Low - Ground, thus was born first once the commune of Gourbeyre, (Back of ass)!
In 1843, a terrible earthquake destroyed the area. The governor admiral Gourbeyre, devoted himself admirably for all the population, (3.000 men approximately had found death), making the admiration of all for his courage, his devotion and to the extraordinary direction of the organization that it into practice put! Back of ass, name changed definitively, by taking that of the governor Gourbeyre, on April 30, 1846!
The commune of Gourbeyre, does not miss culture and intelligence, the departmental records found home there since 1986, and it is also the place of meeting of many researchers, students and personalities. The files of the Guadeloupe, are also the registered office of the association of the files of the Antilles of the council depend on UNESCO. They thus take part actively in the co-operations between the countries of the Caribbean one!

Geography

Gourbeyre is located east of Basse-Terre and southwest of Soufriere. The coordinates are 61° 42' E & 16° 00' N. Gourbeyre is nearby a river. Gourbeyre is located on the N1 highway. Gourbeyre is the crossing point between the coast with the windward and the leeward shore.

Climate

Like any other Eastern Caribbean city, Pointe-à-Pitre experiences quite evenly spread rainfall during the year, with a wetter season between July and November which coincides with hurricane season. The city receives 2000-2500 mm of rainfall. Tropical heat is the norm, bringing constant highs of around 32°C (89°F) that drop to 20°C (68°F) at night.
Trade winds, called alizés, blow from the northeast and often temper the climate.

Economy

Crops such as cocoa, coffee and bananas are grown in the mountains and a sugar factory produces sugar at the river's estuary. Cattle rearing is done, also.
Historical and natural sites brings tourists to Gourbeyre. Also a marina is down at the shoreline, nearby Basse-Terre.

Sights

★ Center Observatory of the Sulphur mine

★ Departmental records of the Guadeloupe

★ Marina of Sens River

★ Sources Chaudes of Pares

★ Machine congestion of Capes-Dole

Famous Gourbeyriens

★ Lucette Michaux-Chevry, (1929-), former mayoress of Gourbeyre and Basse-Terre.