Like a row of stepping stones about thirty miles apart lie the Caribee Islands, forming a crescent-shaped bridge from Porto Rico to South America. The islands are of volcanic origin and sometimes are shaken by terrible earthquakes and eruptions which destroy all the life about them. Guadeloupe (gô´ d-lp´), in the French West Indies, was discovered by Columbus in 1493. The western half is a rugged mass of ridges and peaks and lofty uplands, all bearing the marks of volcanic action. The force in earthquakes must be terrific, for rock masses may be cracked and moved apart as was done in the case of this mighty crevasse. Originally, of course, it was much narrower, but has since ben widened by water from the torrential rains which visit it and by disintegration from many causes. Solid rock has a tendency to split in some directions more easily than in others, that is, there are planes of cleavage. These are clearly shown in this great rock wall. You will notice that no strata are defined for this is not rock formed by deposition. In 1843 the largest volcano of Guadeloupe, "La Grande Soufriere," shook the whole island and utterly ruined its towns. There are parts of Guadeloupe which have fertile soil and produce coffee, cocoa, vanilla, sugar, bananas and many other tropical fruits. Cotton, rubber and tobacco are also cultivated. The climate is hot and moist. Lying in the torrid zone, Guadeloupe has rainy and dry seasons, and is sometimes swept by the terrible West Indian hurricanes. Its people are mostly negroes, though there are a great many Chinese laborers. Guadeloupe is a French colony. Where is the Caribbean Sea? What separates it from the Atlantic Ocean? Keystone ID: 14437 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.