Les Abymes is the most populous commune in the French overseas region and department of Guadeloupe, in the Lesser Antilles. It is located on the west side of the island of Grande-Terre, and is part of the largest metropolitan area of Guadeloupe, which also covers Pointe-à-Pitre.

Geography

Les Abymes is located some 3 km north-east of Pointe-à-Pitre, 7 km east of Baie-Mahault, and 10 km south-west of Morne-à-l'Eau. Access to the commune is by Route nationale N1 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. The Route du Palais Royal passes north-east through the commune to join the N5. The Route de Chazeau branches from the Route du Palais Royal and goes north-east to Doubs. Access to the Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport is 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

Neighbouring communes and villages

Climate

Les Abymes has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am). The average annual temperature in Les Abymes is 26.7 C. The average annual rainfall is 1557.8 mm with October as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 28.1 C, and lowest in February, at around 25.0 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Les Abymes was 34.2 C on 21 July 2001 and 10 August 1995; the coldest temperature ever recorded was 13.0 C on 4 February 1958.

History

The islands have been occupied since Pre-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 the Direction 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 of sugar cane, cocoa, and coffee. A Parish Church was built in Les Abymes in 1726.

Administration

Les Abymes belongs to the community of communes called Cap Excellence which brings it together with Pointe-à-Pitre and Baie-Mahault. The commune is divided into three cantons: List of Successive Mayors

Twinning

Les Abymes has twinning associations with:

Demography

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Abymiens or Abymiennes in French.

Economy

Most of the economic activity of Les Abymes is related to the presence of the Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (formerly Aéroport du Raizet). The airline Air Caraïbes has its headquarters in Les Abymes. 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.

Facilities

Education

There are several educational institutions in the commune: Public primary level: Public junior high schools: Public sixth-form colleges/senior high schools: Private primary level: Private secondary schools under contract: The Apprentice Training School for the Chamber of Crafts of Guadeloupe. Former schools?? The commune also hosts the headquarters of the Rector of the ("Academy of Guadeloupe"). A new building is under construction in the Dothémare-Providence ZAC scheduled for completion in the first quarter 2015.

Health

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. 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.

Culture

Culture and heritage

Civil heritage

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

Religious heritage

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

Sports

Notable people linked to the commune