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Les Abymes

Coordinates:16°16′N61°31′W/ 16.27°N 61.52°W/16.27; -61.52
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Les Abymes
Commune
The Main Square in Les Abymes
The Main Square in Les Abymes
Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe
Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe
Location of Les Abymes
Map
Coordinates:16°16′N61°31′W/ 16.27°N 61.52°W/16.27; -61.52
CountryFrance
Overseas region and departmentGuadeloupe
ArrondissementPointe-à-Pitre
CantonLes Abymes-1,2and3
IntercommunalityCAP Excellence
Government
• Mayor(2020–2026)Éric Jalton[1]
Area
1
81.25 km2(31.37 sq mi)
Population
(2021)[2]
52,118
• Density640/km2(1,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−04:00(AST)
INSEE/Postal code
97101/97139 and 97142
Elevation0–120 m (0–394 ft)
1French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2(0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Les Abymes(French pronunciation:[lezabim];Antillean Creole:Zabim) is the most populouscommunein theFrenchoverseas regionanddepartmentofGuadeloupe,in theLesser Antilles.It is located on the west side of the island ofGrande-Terre,and is part of the largest metropolitan area of Guadeloupe, which also coversPointe-à-Pitre.[3]

Geography[edit]

Les Abymes is located some 3 km north-east ofPointe-à-Pitre,7 km east ofBaie-Mahault,and 10 km south-west ofMorne-à-l'Eau.Access to the commune is byRoute nationaleN1 from Baie-Mahault in the west which passes along the southern border of the commune and continues south as the N4. The N5 branches off the N1 and goes north-east through the centre of the commune and continues north-east to Morne-a-L'eau. The N11 branches off the N5 on the south-east of the town and continues north-west then west rejoining the N1. The D106 road also goes north from the commune to Vieux Bourg. TheRoute du Palais Royalpasses north-east through the commune to join the N5. TheRoute de Chazeaubranches from the Route du Palais Royal and goes north-east to Doubs.[4]

Access to thePointe-à-Pitre International Airportis from the N11.

Les Abymes is integrated into the urban area of Pointe-à-Pitre and, like the rest of the island, has a tropical climate.

Localities and hamlets[edit]

  • Bauzon
  • Baimbridge
  • Bazin
  • Beau-Soleil
  • Besson
  • Boisripeau
  • Boisvin
  • Boisvinière
  • Boricaud
  • Bouliqui
  • Caduc
  • Caraque
  • Céligny
  • Chauvel
  • Chazeau
  • Coma
  • David
  • Deravinières
  • Doubs
  • Dugazon
  • Gaoza
  • Grand-Camp
  • Léonie
  • Masselas
  • Morne-Fleuri
  • Nérée
  • Papin
  • Petit-Pérou
  • Pointe-d'Or
  • Quatre Chemins
  • Le Raizet

Neighbouring communes and villages[4][edit]

Climate[edit]

Les Abymes has atropical monsoon climate(Köppen climate classificationAm). The average annual temperature in Les Abymes is 26.7 °C (80.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,557.8 mm (61.33 in) with October as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 28.1 °C (82.6 °F), and lowest in February, at around 25.0 °C (77.0 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Les Abymes was 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) on 21 July 2001 and 10 August 1995; the coldest temperature ever recorded was 13.0 °C (55.4 °F) on 4 February 1958.

Climate data for Les Abymes(Le Raizet Airport,altitude 11m, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 31.8
(89.2) 		32.1
(89.8) 		32.8
(91.0) 		33.3
(91.9) 		33.3
(91.9) 		33.4
(92.1) 		34.2
(93.6) 		34.2
(93.6) 		34.1
(93.4) 		34.1
(93.4) 		33.4
(92.1) 		32.4
(90.3) 		34.2
(93.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.1
(84.4) 		29.1
(84.4) 		29.6
(85.3) 		30.2
(86.4) 		30.8
(87.4) 		31.4
(88.5) 		31.6
(88.9) 		31.8
(89.2) 		31.6
(88.9) 		31.3
(88.3) 		30.5
(86.9) 		29.6
(85.3) 		30.6
(87.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.0
(77.0) 		25.0
(77.0) 		25.4
(77.7) 		26.3
(79.3) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.9
(82.2) 		28.0
(82.4) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.8
(82.0) 		27.4
(81.3) 		26.5
(79.7) 		25.6
(78.1) 		26.7
(80.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20.9
(69.6) 		20.9
(69.6) 		21.1
(70.0) 		22.4
(72.3) 		23.7
(74.7) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.3
(75.7) 		24.0
(75.2) 		23.5
(74.3) 		22.6
(72.7) 		21.6
(70.9) 		22.8
(73.0)
Record low °C (°F) 13.5
(56.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		13.9
(57.0) 		15.8
(60.4) 		16.4
(61.5) 		18.9
(66.0) 		19.6
(67.3) 		19.8
(67.6) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.0
(66.2) 		16.8
(62.2) 		14.4
(57.9) 		13.0
(55.4)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 89.3
(3.52) 		58.2
(2.29) 		72.3
(2.85) 		98.9
(3.89) 		122.5
(4.82) 		105.2
(4.14) 		134.6
(5.30) 		162.8
(6.41) 		198.3
(7.81) 		202.7
(7.98) 		186.4
(7.34) 		126.6
(4.98) 		1,557.8
(61.33)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) 15.7 12.8 11.4 12.2 12.7 13.2 15.3 16.4 16.1 16.6 17.0 16.4 175.8
Mean monthlysunshine hours 200.9 190.7 214.0 209.0 215.1 209.5 213.8 223.2 199.3 197.7 182.5 193.4 2,449
Source:Météo-France[5]

History[edit]

The islands have been occupied sincePre-Columbian era.Some remains have been found in the Dothémare area but the most remarkable were those found in Belle Plaine where surveys conducted by theDirection régionale des affaires culturelles(DRAC) in 2006 revealed the existence of a sizeable town dated from 1000 and 1200 AD (Troumassoid culture).

The first village, located a few kilometres from the current urban centre, was founded in 1691. It consisted of a few houses and experienced some development through the cultivation ofsugar cane,cocoa,andcoffee.A Parish Church was built in Les Abymes in 1726.

Administration[edit]

Les Abymes belongs to the community of communes calledCap Excellencewhich brings it together with Pointe-à-Pitre and Baie-Mahault. The commune is divided into three cantons:

Les Abymes Town Hall

List of SuccessiveMayors[6]

From To Name
1965 1967 Maurice Fleury
1967 1995 Frédéric Jalton
1995 1995 René-Serge Nabajoth
1995 2008 Daniel Marsin
2008 2026 Éric Jalton

Twinning[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Les Abymes hastwinningassociations with:

Demography[edit]

The inhabitants of the commune are known asAbymiensorAbymiennesin French.[8]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
195418,425—
196130,791+7.61%
196739,911+4.42%
197453,605+4.30%
198256,165+0.58%
199062,605+1.37%
199963,054+0.08%
200759,404−0.74%
201258,606−0.27%
201753,491−1.81%
Source: INSEE[9]

Economy[edit]

Most of the economic activity of Les Abymes is related to the presence of thePointe-à-Pitre International Airport(formerly Aéroport du Raizet). The airlineAir Caraïbeshas its headquarters in Les Abymes.[10]

Although not a resort, Les Abymes is the second most important economic centre of Guadeloupe after the industrial zone of Jarry. The Milénis shopping centre is located in the commune. The "Family Plaza Complex" including a multiplex cinema, a shopping mall, and a leisure centre is due to open in 2015.[11]

Facilities[edit]

Education[edit]

There are several educational institutions in the commune:

Public primary level:

  • 15 public preschools[12]
  • 20 public primary schools[12]
  • 2 public elementary schools[12]

Public junior high schools:[13]

  • Collège du Bourg;
  • Collège du Raizet;
  • Collège Alexandre-Isaac; (named afterAlexandre Isaac,Senator)
  • Collège Saint-John-Perse;
  • Collège Excellence-Sportive;

Public sixth-form colleges/senior high schools:[13]

Private primary level:

  • 3 private primary schools[12]
  • 1 private elementary school[12]

Private secondary schools under contract:[14]

The Apprentice Training School for the Chamber of Crafts of Guadeloupe.[citation needed]

Former schools??

The commune also hosts the headquarters of the Rector of theAcadémie de la Guadeloupe[fr]( "Academy of Guadeloupe" ). A new building is under construction in the Dothémare-Providence ZAC scheduled for completion in the first quarter 2015.[15]

Health[edit]

The University Hospital (CHU) of Pointe-à-Pitre / Les Abymes was the largest on the island in 2013 bringing together some 40 hospital services covering all medical fields with a total capacity of 862 beds with 319 doctors, 120 interns, and 3,000 hospital workers.[16]The hospital is to be rebuilt at Perrin (commencing 2016 for delivery in 2019).

The Polyclinic of Guadeloupe is located at Morne Jolivière and is a private care centre with a total capacity of 110 beds including 20 beds for maternity.[17]

Culture[edit]

  • TheSonis Cultural Centre
  • TheRenée Élie Hallat Chazeau
  • TheJoseph Théodore Faustin Hall
  • AMultiplex Cinemaat the "Family Plaza Complex" (under construction, expected completion June 2015)
  • The Félix-Proto Community Centre (under construction, expected completion end of 2015)

Culture and heritage[edit]

La Mulâtresse Solitude,in Les Abymes.

Civil heritage[edit]

The commune has a number of buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

  • ARevenue Officeon Rue Frédéric (1932)[18]
  • The formerTown Hallon Rue du Général Delacroix (1933)[19]
  • ASepulchral Monumenton Rue du Général Delacroix (1932)[20]
  • TheJoseph Ricou Hospitalon Rue de l'Hôpital (1931)[21]
  • TheMarketin the Place du Marché (1931)[22]
  • TheWar Memorial(1937)[23]
  • ThePetrelluzzi Houseat Morne-Fleuri (20th century)[24]
  • TheMamiel Dwelling(19th century)[25]
Other sites of interest
  • Themangroves
  • TheTaonaba Mangrove House
  • The Perrin and Belle Plaine Channel
  • AMemorialfrom 1889 for the centenary of theFrench Revolution
  • TheAbymes, Land of convergence Monumentat the entry to the town showing the location of different communities on the island.
  • La Mulâtresse Solitude(1772–1802), a statue erected in 1999 in the Baimbridge district in memory of resistance against slavery, by the sculptor Jacky Poulier.
  • AStatue ofNelson Mandelaerected in 2014 at the Petit-Pérou roundabout in memory of the President ofSouth Africa,by the sculptor Jean Moisa[26]

Religious heritage[edit]

The Church of the Immaculate Conception

The commune has two religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

  • TheParish Church of the Immaculate Conception(1930)[27]
  • APresbyteryat Rue Schoelcher (1932)[28]
Other religious sites of interest
  • AHindu Temple
  • ACalvary

Sports[edit]

Sports Facilities
  • TheStade René Serge Nabajoth(capacity: 7,500 people)
  • Inter-communal Swimming Pool at Dugazon
  • Tennis
  • Golf (9 holes)
  • TheCentre of Sports Resources, expertise, and performance(CREPS) of Antilles Guyana is located in the commune, on an area of 9 hectares on the site of the old Darboussier stadium.
Sports Clubs
  • Jeunesse Sportive Abymienne,football and Handball
  • Le Siroco,football
  • Jeunesse Evolution,football
  • La Juventa,football
  • la MJC Abymes,football, Basketball
  • JCA (Jeunesse Cycliste des Abymes),cycling
  • CSCA (Convergence Sportive Cycliste des Abymes),cycling
  • VO2C (Vélo d'Or du Centre de la Caraïbe),cycling
  • AS Police,cycling
  • BRUC (Boisripeaux Rugby Club),rugby

Notable people linked to the commune[edit]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toLes Abymes.

References[edit]

  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"(in French).The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.28 December 2023.
  3. ^Aire d'attraction des villes 2020 des Abymes (9A1),INSEE
  4. ^abGoogle Maps
  5. ^"Climate of Les Abymes 1981-2010"(PDF)(in French).Météo-France.RetrievedApril 8,2022.
  6. ^List of Mayors of France(in French)
  7. ^National Commission for Decentralised cooperation(in French)
  8. ^Le nom des habitants du 971 - Guadeloupe,habitants.fr
  9. ^Historique des populations communales,INSEE
  10. ^2013 World Travel AwardsArchived2014-11-29 at theWayback Machine,Air Caraïbes. Retrieved on 23 November 2014.
  11. ^First stone for the Family Plaza ComplexonFrance-Antilleson 10 January 2014.(in French)
  12. ^abcde"LISTE DES ECOLES PUBLIQUES ET PRIVEES SOUS CONTRAT."Académie de la Guadeloupe[fr].Retrieved on 10 March 2018.
  13. ^ab"Établissements du 2nd degré PUBLIC 2017-2018."Académie de la Guadeloupe[fr].Retrieved on 10 March 2018.
  14. ^"Etablissements du 2nd degré privé sous contrat 2017-2018."Académie de la Guadeloupe[fr].Retrieved on 10 March 2018.
  15. ^Works: Large building sites of 2014onFrance-Antilleson 6 January 2014.(in French)
  16. ^CHU Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes official website(in French)
  17. ^Polyclinic of Guadeloupe websiteArchived2013-08-21 atarchive.today(in French)
  18. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102003 Revenue Office(in French)
  19. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102006 Town Hall(in French)
  20. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102005 Sepulchral Monument(in French)
  21. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102007 Joseph Ricou Hospital(in French)
  22. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102002 Market(in French)
  23. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97100045 War Memorial(in French)
  24. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97100025 Petrelluzzi House(in French)
  25. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97100019 Mamiel Dwelling(in French)
  26. ^Inauguration of the first statue of Nelson Mandela in FranceonFrance-Antilleson 11 March 2014(in French)
  27. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102053 Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception(in French)
  28. ^Ministry of Culture, MériméeIA97102004 Presbytery(in French)
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