This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008)

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.

Tybalt Rosembraise was born on the island of La Désirade in 1798.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

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