map of martinique and martinique map and information page

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Columbus landed on Martinique (near Le Carbet) in 1502. The French arrived in 1635, built permanent settlements, began the cultivation of sugarcane, and the importation of slaves from Africa.

After brief periods of bloody battles with Carib Indians, and numerous English occupations, the French finally took firm control in 1815.

In 1848, the French government signed an Emancipation Proclamation document, which ended all slavery in the French West Indies.

On May 8, 1902, Mt. Pelee erupted, destroying the once thriving capital city of Saint Pierre, and killing its 30,000 residents in less than three-minutes.

A long-time French colony, Martinique was declared an official French overseas department in 1946, and the island's beauty, charm and historical sites attract visitors from around the world.

Fort-de-France, fronted by lush, green mountains, surrounds a yacht-filled harbor, and is one of the most strikingly beautiful ports in the Caribbean.

Point du Bont is the island's main resort area, offering a wide selection of hotels, along with casinos, great golf, shopping and night life.

The Martinique pages and maps are currently being revised, however you can read more about it here!

Facts and Figures

Official Name Martinique, a French overseas department

Population 391,000

Capital City Fort-de-France (97,000)

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Languages French (official), Creole Patois

Flag and description here

Latitude/Longitude 14º 40N, 61º 00W

Currency Euro

Currency Converter here

Religions Catholic (95%), others

Land Area 426 sq miles (1,060 sq km)

Landforms Martinique is dominated by single (active) volcano, Mt. Pelee. It stands at 4,583 ft. (1,397m).

The rugged terrain slopes to the sea, and there's very little lowland to be found. Tropical rain forests and mangrove swamps cover much of the coastal areas. A few small rivers drain the mountains, with the Lezarde the most significant.

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Maps

Martinique Outline Map here

Martinique Large Map here

Martinique CIA Map here!

French West Indies Map here

Caribbean Map here

Caribbean Map (Leeward Islands) here

Caribbean Map (Windward Islands) here

West Indies Map here

Suggested Links

Martinique CIA Info Page here

Martinique.org here!

Martinique Photo Tour here!

French Caribbean Travel here!

Caribbean Compass (newspaper) here!

U.S. Dept of State (travel info) here!

Climate Martinique weather is warm throughout the year, with manageable humidity. Winter mornings and late evenings are somewhat cooler (December-March), but less than 5º separates summer and winter high temperatures.

Caribbean islands are all subject to the occasional hurricane (July-October) and moderate rainfall is commonplace during this period.