Terre-de-Haut, Iles de Saintes

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The small island of Terre-de-Haut with its population of approximately 2000, is one of the eight islands of the Iles de Saintes archipelago.

The island group is a dependency of Guadeloupe, which, in turn, is an overseas department and region of France.

Unlike neighbouring islands, there is little in the way of arable land. This explains why, no plantations were ever established and slaves were never brought here.

Most of the locals, who are called Sanitois, have blond hair and blue eyes as they were descendants of immigrants who arrived 300 years ago from Brittany, in the north-west of France.

Many Saintois still earn their living by fishing even if the tourism on the island has started to bloom and bring income. Terre-de-Haut appeals to visitors who want isolation as, even if more travellers constantly visit, the island is still a world apart from the rest of Guadeloupe.