"Comment allez-vous?" a Martinique Travel Page by seagoingJLW

This was the first time I saw the typical Santa Claus while sweltering in the heat. It was at the Market Square in Fort de France. In the middle of the square was the famous statue of Josephine. Unfortunately, she was headless when we arrived.

History

When Columbus landed on Martiniques on June 15, 1502, it was peopled by the Carib Indians, who had themselves taken it from the Arawaks. the island was claimed by France in 1635 when a settlement was established by Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc. It was officially annexed by the King of France in 1674.

Colbert's "Black Code" of 1685 officially governed the lives of slaves (introduced by King Louis XIII on October 31, 1636) until May 22,1848.

Between 1762 and 1848 France and Britain fought over the island with the British occupying Martinique several times.

May 8, 1902 brought about the eruption of Mt. Pelée wiping out the city of St-Pierre and its 30,000 people in three minutes. At this time, Fort-de-France became the capital.

On March 19, 1946 acquired the status of a French department. A Regional Council was established in 1983 following the French decentralization laws of 1982.

Miscellaneous Information

Martinique, in the heart of the Caribbean Archipelago, is one of the many islands of the Lesser Antilles. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west, the island has a surface area of 426 square miles. In the north there is a tropical rain forest. The center of the island is made up of small, rounded hills and enclosed valleys. the southernmost tip is the Salines Beach.

Average air temperatures in coastal areas vary from 72 degrees F to 86 degrees F. In inland areas the range is 66 degrees F to 81 degrees F. Water temperatures stay between 68 degrees F and 74 degrees F.

This island of flowers has lush vegetation, with hibiscus, frangipani, bougainvillea, arthuriums, poinsettias, orchids, and exotic hard woods. There are fields of guava, mango and papaya. There are also vast plantations that grow bananas, pineapple, sugarcane, cinnamon, and coffee.

The population of 407,284 (as of July, 1998) is diverse.
It is 90% African and African-Indian-white mixture, 5% white, and 5% East Indian, Lebanese and Chinese. BothFrench and Creole patois are spoken.

Electricity is 220 volts 60 cycles AC. US and Canadian appliances require French plug converters and transformers.