Martinique

Population: 403,795 (est.)

Language(s):  French

Interesting Facts:

• As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the Euro.
• Martinique is predominantly a Christian country (majority Roman Catholic) with Protestant, and small Muslim and Hindu communities also on the island.
• Temperatures average 79 degrees with two regular alternating wind currents (les alizés) keeping the island cool. There is only about a five-degree difference between summer and winter temperatures.
• Martinique is the birthplace of the famed poet, Aimé Césaire, Zouk and Napoleon’s bride, Empress Josephine, Martinique boasts a rich cultural heritage kept alive in the island’s 25 museums.
• The ‘Rum Capital of the World’, Martinique is home to 15 brands. Martinique rums are the only rums to carry the exalted Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation formerly reserved for the finest wines.
• The highest point on the island of Martinique is Mount Pelee (1,397 m).
• Mount Pelee is a volcano (stratovolcano) which last erupted in May 1902.
• The eruption of Mount Pelee destroyed the town of Saint Pierre killing thirty thousand of its inhabitants.
• Martinique came under brief periods of English rule in the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century.

Martinique is an island in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of 1,128 km² (436 sq mi). Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados.

As with the other overseas departments, Martinique is one of the twenty-seven regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the French Republic. The first European to encounter the island was Christopher Columbus in 1493.

As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the Euro. Its official language is French, although many of its inhabitants also speak Antillean Creole (Créole Martiniquais).

Source: Wikipedia

Related:

Guadeloupe Saint Lucia Dominica Caribbean Turks and Caicos Islands Haiti St. Vincent & the Grenadines Montserrat