Gourbeyre

French commune|nomcommune=Gourbeyre


mapcaption=Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe
région=Guadeloupe
département=Guadeloupe
arrondissement=Basse-Terre
canton=Gourbeyre
intercomm=Communauté de communes du Sud Basse-Terre
insee=97109
cp=97113
maire=Luc Adémar
mandat=2001-2008
longitude=-61.7
latitude=16
alt moy=
alt mini=
alt maxi=
hectares=
km²=22.52
sans=8,033
date-sans=Jan. 2006 census
dens=357
date-dens=2006

Gourbeyre is a commune in the French overseas "région" and "département" of Guadeloupe, in the Lesser Antilles. It is a suburb of the city of Basse-Terre. As of the January 2006 census, the population was 8,033 inhabitants. The land area is 22.52 km and the population density is 357 persons per sq. km.

The commune of Gourbeyre was in the past a pivotal point in the defense of Guadeloupe's Basse-Terre Island.

Government

From 1640 to 1643 the government of Guadeloupe consisted of governor Aubert. The governor's house being regarded as the most beautiful in the commune of Gourbeyre.

Charles Houël was named governor in 1648 and immediately began the construction of the Fort of Saint Charles on the right bank of the Galleon River. Effectively moving the seat of government. The Fort (renamed Fort Delgrès in 1989) was placed to resist the attack of the English by providing cover for French ships.

Colonisation

Dos**** was the name given for the Gourbeyre commune up to the 17th Century. Through the 18th Century it was an important capital in colonial France.

Colonists were attracted to settle in Dos***** because of trading opportunities and in view of the protection provided against English attack for residents in the Dos*****.

Military significance

Dos**** had some military importance due to the fortification of the ~Feel~ and Bisdary rivers and of course of the protection of Dos****. The area was considered to be impregnable during the English attacks of 1691 and 1703.

Religion

Many religious communities settled in the commune of Gourbeyre. By 1650 monks had obtained the rights to cultivate the land and in the cases of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Jesuits had turned to cultivation of sugar plantations and the refining of sugar. In Bisdary the Jesuits were vested with 250 hectares of sugar cane which was cultivated and maintained by up to 400 slaves.

Further History

At the beginning of the 19th century, the commune of Gourbeyre had 461 white, 3418 slaves and 168 of other races.

Very serious events occurred on the commune of Gourbeyre, particularly in Dolé, with the revolt of Delgrès opposed to the Richepanse general, sent by Napoleon. In January 1838, a new municipal organization detached the commune of Gourbeyre, from Low - Ground.

In 1843, a terrible earthquake destroyed the area. The governor admiral of Gourbeyre was instrumental in reconstructing the area.

The commune of Gourbeyre, does not miss culture and intelligence, the departmental records found home there since 1986, and it also hosts 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 for UNESCO. They take part in the co-operations between the countries of the Caribbean.

Geography

Gourbeyre is located east of the city Basse-Terre and southwest of the Soufrière volcano. 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.

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.

ights

*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.