Vieux-Habitants

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.

Vieux-Habitants
Commune
The Church of Saint-Joseph of Vieux-Habitants, classed as an historic monument
Location of the commune (in red) within Guadeloupe
Location of Vieux-Habitants
Coordinates: 16°03′N 61°45′W
Country	France
Overseas region and department	Guadeloupe
Arrondissement	Basse-Terre
Canton	Vieux-Habitants
Intercommunality	CA Grand Sud Caraïbe
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Jules Otto[1]
Area 1	58.70 km2 (22.66 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]	7,040
• Density	120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−04:00 (AST)
INSEE/Postal code	97134 /97119
Elevation	42 m (138 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

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

Year	Pop.	±% 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

• Victorin Lurel, President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe

See also

• Communes of the Guadeloupe department