At the site where Christopher Columbus landed on November 3, 1493 there is a
beautifully restored windmill called Ballot. It is one of the 72 windmills of
Marie Galante. These windmills have worked for centuries, with the trade winds
moving their blades. Only 20 miles of sea separate Marie Galante from Guadeloupe,
but these 20 miles erase a century of history. Marie Galante is not seeking
tourists. Between its fields of sugar cane and the carts pulled by oxen appears
to ignore its beautiful beaches. The character of the Creole fishermen and
farmers that live here is laid back and industrious at the same time.
TERRITORY
43 km. south east from Pointe a Pitre lies Marie Galante, a round
limestone island with an area of 158 kmq,
wavy low hills. In the western and southern side you find several
beaches, on the contrary the western and eastern side
are jagged with cliffs reaching also the height of 100 metres.
Between Grelin and Boree "La Barre", a fracture 150 meters deep
divides the island into two plateaus.
The main town is Grand-Bourg, inhabitants are 13.000.
CLIMATE
Marie Galante enjoys a pleasant climate all year round
with
temperatures ranging from 21 ° c. 34 ° c.
Cooled by trade winds that blow throughout the year, can be a
destination not only in winter but also in summer enjoying a small.
