Vieux-Habitants
Commune
The Church of Saint-Joseph of Vieux-Habitants, classed as an historic monument
The Church of Saint-Joseph of Vieux-Habitants, classed as an historic monument
Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe
Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe
Location of Vieux-Habitants
Coordinates: 16°03′N 61°45′W / 16.05°N 61.75°W / 16.05; -61.75
CountryFrance
Overseas region and departmentGuadeloupe
ArrondissementBasse-Terre
CantonVieux-Habitants
IntercommunalityCA Grand Sud Caraïbe
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jules Otto[1]
Area
1
58.70 km2 (22.66 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2021)[2]
7,014
 • Density120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−04:00 (AST)
INSEE/Postal code
97134 /97119
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Vieux-Habitants (French pronunciation: [vjøz‿abitɑ̃], French for Old Inhabitants; Guadeloupean Creole: Zabitan) is a commune on Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the Caribbean. It is located on the southwest coast of the island of Basse-Terre.

History

This is the oldest parish, founded in 1636, when the first French settlers inhabited the west coast near the present site of Vieux Habitants.[3][4] The name, meaning "Old Settlers" derives from the fact that many employees of the West Indies Company retired here and preferred to be called "inhabitants" to distinguish between themselves and the slaves.[5] It grew gradually as an agricultural area, famous for its coffee, vanilla and Creole gardens.

Geography

Vieux-Habitants is located in the southwest of Basse-Terre island, 87 kilometres southwest of Pointe à Pitre.[3] It is bordered by the commune of Baillif to the south and Bouillante to the north. The commune also contains the village of Marigot to the north, between Vieux-Habitants village and Bouilliante. The Grand-Rivières river and forests forms a major part of the local scenery, flowing through the Domaniale forest of Guadeloupe National Park into the sea. Natural landmarks include the Plage de Rocroy beach, the Beaugendre Valley of the Grand-Rivières and L'Etang.[6] There are numerous fresh water pools in the commune.[3]

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1967 7,680—    
1974 7,391−0.55%
1982 7,445+0.09%
1990 7,373−0.12%
1999 7,611+0.35%
2007 7,684+0.12%
2012 7,521−0.43%
2017 7,210−0.84%
Source: INSEE[7]

Landmarks

Notable plantations in the commune include the Domaine de Vanibel, Domaine de Grivelière, and the Le Musée du Café. Eglise Franc-Maçonne was built in the 18th century.[6]

Sport

It is the home of football club JS Vieux-Habitants, who are the reigning champions of the Guadeloupe Division d'Honneur.

Education

Public preschools:[8]

  • Ecole maternelle Bourg Vieux-habitants
  • Ecole maternelle Géry
  • Ecole maternelle Beaujean-Labique Gratienne
  • Ecole maternelle Duloir Henriette

Public primary schools:[8]

  • Ecole primaire La Cousinière
  • Ecole primaire Géry
  • Ecole primaire Marigot
  • Ecole primaire Bourg Vieux-Habitants

Public junior high schools include:[9]

  • Collège Suze Angely

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Vieux Habitants". Guadeloupe-antilles.com. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  4. ↑ Hoy, Don R. (1961). Agricultural Land Use of Guadeloupe. National Academies. p. 31. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Colón, Christina Paulette; Porter, Darwin; Flippin, Alexis Lipsitz (23 August 2011). Frommer's Caribbean. John Wiley & Sons. p. 320. ISBN 978-1-118-00427-2. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Vieux-Habitants". Gwadaplans.com. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  8. 1 2 "LISTE DES ECOLES PUBLIQUES ET PRIVEES SOUS CONTRAT." Académie de la Guadeloupe. Retrieved on 10 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "Établissements du 2nd degré PUBLIC 2017-2018." Académie de la Guadeloupe. Retrieved on 10 March 2018.
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