GUADELOUPE

 KNOWN AS "the Emerald Isle," Guadeloupe lies midway between Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The “island” is really two smaller land masses joined by two bridges over a narrow channel called Rivière-Salée. Grande Terre to the east typifies the French Antilles with roffing hills and sugarcane fields; Basse-Terre to the west is a rugged, mountainous island dominated by the volcano of La Soufrière. Its hills and ravines are lush with hardwood forests, ferns, bamboo, bananas, hibiscus, bougainvillea and guava. One road follows the coast while another crosses the highlands, providing a spectacular drive.

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe's commercial center on Grande-Terre, and BasseTerre, the capital, contrast busy port life with a French provincial atmosphere. This Gallic ambiance also is evident in Guadeloupe's island dependencies of Marie-Galante; La Désirade; St. Barthélemy; the islands of Les Saintes, where Norman-French speech and customs prevail; and St. Martin, where French and Dutch influences mingle.

Called "the island of beautiful waters" by the Carib Indians, Guadeloupe was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, on his second voyage. He named the island for the Spanish monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Es-tremadura, but Spain established no colonies due to fierce opposition from the Caiibs. Guadeloupe and her sister island Martinique were settled by French colonists in 1635 and soon became important centers of sugar production.

Both islands were incorporated as departments of France in 1946 and elevated to regions in 1974, with each island holding representation in the French Parliament by two senators, four deputies and two members of the Economic Council. The local government consists of elected General and Regional Councils as well as a prefect, or governor; the island's inhabitants are French citizens.

SHOPPING
The French islands are excellent shopping centers, where perfumes and other luxury made-inFrance products are sold at or below Paris, New York or St. Thomas prices. Rosdbleu and A La Pensée on the Rue Frébault are among the most popular places to shop in Pointe-à-Pitre. Rue de Nozières and Schoelcher also have shops carry-ing French imports as well as madras cottons, watches, silver and china. Centre Saint-John Perse, on the harbor front, showcases many specialty shops, a hotel and several restaurants. The local outdoor market, Champs-Elysées, and the Place de la Victoire are worth visiting.

Most shops are open Mon.-Fri. 9-1 and 3-6, Sat. 9-1, and are closed holidays. Banking hours are Mon-Fri. 8-noon and 2-4; summer hours are Mon.-Fri. 8-3. Stores can give up to 20-percent discounts on some luxury goods purchased with travelers checks or certain credit cards.