Baillif
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. History. In 1637, Governor De L’Olive conceded a parcel of land to the Dominican friars, 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-Yveline Théobald-Ponchateau was elected mayor (maire) of Baillif in 2020. Geography. Baillif is situated on the south-west coast of Basse-Terre Island and it covers an area of . 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. Climate. 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. Trade winds, called alizés, blow from the northeast and often temper the climate. Economy. Baillif has mainly an agricultural sector a. Mixed crops such as bananas, cocoa and coffee are grown. They are shipped to the port or the airport to be transported. Baillif has an airport, Baillif Airport & the runway is and the International Civil Aviation Organization airport code is TFFB & the International Air Transport Association airport code is BBR. Today, an industrial and commercial zone is under development, supplementing the Jarry zone. Sights . With its small regional airfield, it acts as a gateway to the islands in the south. The airport from 19 October 2019 is now French language only for arriving and departing traffic. At the entry to the market town, there is a 4 m tower as evidence of this historical past called the “Père Labat Tower”. Further while going towards Vieux-Habitants, is the “engraved rocks” of Plessis. Education. Public preschools and primary schools include: Public junior high schools include: Also to see. La Parc national de la Guadeloupe is a magnificent tropical forest of almost 66 square miles (170  km), which has been a designated National Park since 1989. It has many well marked hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Its lush vegetation (over 3000 species of trees) provides shelter for an exotic wildlife, free from poisonous animals. With its waterfalls, cascades, basins, parks and different plantations...it reveals all its natural charm! It is located in the mountain range from Belle Hotesse to La Soufriere.