Les Abymes is located some 3 km north-east of Pointe-à-Pitre, 7 km east of Baie-Mahault, and 10 km south-west of Morne-à-l'Eau. Access to the commune is by Route nationale N1 from Baie-Mahault in the west which passes along the southern border of the commune and continues south as the N4. The N5 branches off the N1 and goes north-east through the centre of the commune and continues north-east to Morne-a-L'eau. The N11 branches off the N5 on the south-east of the town and continues north-west then west rejoining the N1. The D106 road also goes north from the commune to Vieux Bourg. The Route du Palais Royal passes north-east through the commune to join the N5. The Route de Chazeau branches from the Route du Palais Royal and goes north-east to Doubs.[4]
Les Abymes has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classificationAm). The average annual temperature in Les Abymes is 26.7 °C (80.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,557.8 mm (61.33 in) with October as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 28.1 °C (82.6 °F), and lowest in February, at around 25.0 °C (77.0 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Les Abymes was 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) on 21 July 2001 and 10 August 1995; the coldest temperature ever recorded was 13.0 °C (55.4 °F) on 4 February 1958.
Climate data for Les Abymes (Le Raizet Airport, altitude 11m, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
The islands have been occupied since Pre-Columbian era. Some remains have been found in the Dothémare area but the most remarkable were those found in Belle Plaine where surveys conducted by the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles (DRAC) in 2006 revealed the existence of a sizeable town dated from 1000 and 1200 AD (Troumassoid culture).
The first village, located a few kilometres from the current urban centre, was founded in 1691. It consisted of a few houses and experienced some development through the cultivation of sugar cane, cocoa, and coffee. A Parish Church was built in Les Abymes in 1726.
Les Abymes belongs to the community of communes called Cap Excellence which brings it together with Pointe-à-Pitre and Baie-Mahault. The commune is divided into three cantons:
Most of the economic activity of Les Abymes is related to the presence of the Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (formerly Aéroport du Raizet). The airline Air Caraïbes has its headquarters in Les Abymes.[10]
Although not a resort, Les Abymes is the second most important economic centre of Guadeloupe after the industrial zone of Jarry. The Milénis shopping centre is located in the commune. The "Family Plaza Complex" including a multiplex cinema, a shopping mall, and a leisure centre is due to open in 2015.[11]
The commune also hosts the headquarters of the Rector of the Académie de la Guadeloupe [fr] ("Academy of Guadeloupe"). A new building is under construction in the Dothémare-Providence ZAC scheduled for completion in the first quarter 2015.[15]
The University Hospital (CHU) of Pointe-à-Pitre / Les Abymes was the largest on the island in 2013 bringing together some 40 hospital services covering all medical fields with a total capacity of 862 beds with 319 doctors, 120 interns, and 3,000 hospital workers.[16] The hospital is to be rebuilt at Perrin (commencing 2016 for delivery in 2019).
The Polyclinic of Guadeloupe is located at Morne Jolivière and is a private care centre with a total capacity of 110 beds including 20 beds for maternity.[17]
The Abymes, Land of convergence Monument at the entry to the town showing the location of different communities on the island.
La Mulâtresse Solitude (1772–1802), a statue erected in 1999 in the Baimbridge district in memory of resistance against slavery, by the sculptor Jacky Poulier.
AStatue of Nelson Mandela erected in 2014 at the Petit-Pérou roundabout in memory of the President of South Africa, by the sculptor Jean Moisa[26]
The Centre of Sports Resources, expertise, and performance (CREPS) of Antilles Guyana is located in the commune, on an area of 9 hectares on the site of the old Darboussier stadium.
Sports Clubs
Jeunesse Sportive Abymienne, football and Handball
Le Siroco, football
Jeunesse Evolution, football
La Juventa, football
la MJC Abymes, football, Basketball
JCA (Jeunesse Cycliste des Abymes), cycling
CSCA (Convergence Sportive Cycliste des Abymes), cycling
Boucherville (Canada) since 1988.[7]
Créteil (France)
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