Baillif
| Baillif | |
|---|---|
| Commune | |
The tower of Father Labat, an historic monument
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 Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe |
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| Coordinates: 16°01′N 61°45′W / 16.02°N 61.75°WCoordinates: 16°01′N 61°45′W / 16.02°N 61.75°W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas region and department | Guadeloupe |
| Arrondissement | Basse-Terre |
| Canton | Vieux-Habitants |
| Intercommunality | Sud Basse-Terre |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Marie-Lucile Breslau |
| Area1 | 24.30 km2 (9.38 sq mi) |
| Population (2007)2 | 5,609 |
| • Density | 230/km2 (600/sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 97104 /97123 |
| Elevation | 0–1,354 m (0–4,442 ft) (avg. 15 m or 49 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Baillif is a commune of Guadeloupe, an overseas region and department of France located in the Lesser Antilles. Baillif is a suburb of Basse-Terre, the prefecture and second largest urban area of Guadeloupe located on Basse-Terre Island (the western-half of Guadeloupe).
The inhabitants are called Baillifiens.
In 1637, Governor De L’Olive conceded a parcel of land to the Dominican monks, from the Fathers’ river to that of Baillif, and today these mark out the boundary of the town. Under the leadership of Father Labat, several fortresses were built in Baillif to protect the region from English invasion. The Dominicans came to preach the good news of Jesus.
The commune is named after an early inhabitant, Robert Baillif. Baillif traded in the area from 1650 to about 1700. Today, Baillif is often considered to be a suburb of the prefecture of Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, and with its small regional airfield, it acts as a gateway to the islands in the south. Marie-Lucile Breslau was elected (maire) mayor of Baillif.
Baillif is situated on the south-west coast of Basse-Terre Island and it covers an area of 24.3 km2 (9.4 sq mi). It faces the Caribbean Sea. The town is west of Basse-Terre's mountain range. The capital of Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, is south of Baillif, and Vieux-Habitants, a village, is located north. La riviere de Père flows halfway between Baillif and Basse-Terre.
Like any other Eastern Caribbean settlement, Baillif experiences quite evenly spread rainfall during the year, with a wetter season between July and November which coincides with hurricane season. Guadeloupe has been struck by many hurricanes which have caused devastation. The town receives below 1500 mm of rainfall. Tropical heat is the norm, bringing constant highs of around 32 °C (89 °F) that drop to 20 °C (68 °F) at night.
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