GRANDE-TERRE

island in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, which with its twin to the west, Basse-Terre, constitutes the core of the French overseas dpartement of Guadeloupe. Although the two islands are separated only by a narrow inlet of the sea called Rivire Sale ("Salty River"), Grande-Terre belongs geologically to the outer limestone arc of the Lesser Antilles, while Basse-Terre belongs to the inner, mountainous, volcanic arc. Grande-Terre is a low-lying island of 228 square miles (590 square km) without any rivers. Sandy soils and scrub forest vegetation are characteristic of the dry climate. Sugarcane and livestock are raised. The chief town of the island and the economic centre of the dpartement is Pointe--Pitre on the southwestern coast. The majority of the population are black and mulatto, with some Europeans and Asian Indians. Pop. (1990) 177,570.