POINTE--PITRE

principal town and arrondissement of the French overseas dpartement of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean Sea. The town lies on the southwestern coast of Grande-Terre island, on the eastern shore of the Sale River, a channel that separates Grande-Terre from Basse-Terre, the western island of Guadeloupe. Several islets in the southern bay guard the approach to the town's harbour, and there are mangrove swamps in the vicinity. Pointe--Pitre was founded in the mid-17th century, soon after the French settlement of Guadeloupe, but it was eclipsed in importance until the late 18th century by Basse-Terre, which still remains the administrative capital. In 1906 a road bridge across the Sale River replaced the existing ferry, and, favoured by its central position and harbour facilities, Pointe--Pitre became the chief commercial town. It handles almost all of Guadeloupe's imports. In the mid-20th century there was extensive suburban development, particularly north toward Raizet Airport and the nearby town of Les Abymes. Pop. (1990) 26,083.