Martinique

Martinique, island, overseas department of France, in the French Antilles, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, off the north-western coast of South America. One of the Windward Islands, Martinique is largely of volcanic origin and essentially mountainous. The island has an area of 1,102 sq km (425 sq mi).

Martinique has an estimated population (1996) of 399,151. Fort-de-France, the most populous city (101,540) is the capital and chief seaport. Other important towns are Le Lamentin (30,596) and Sainte Marie (19,760). Although the official language of the department is French, a majority of the inhabitants use a Creole dialect in conversation.

Martinique’s economy is based largely on agriculture, and about 18 per cent of the island is cultivable. Bananas, pineapples, sugar cane for rum, vanilla, and tobacco are the island’s principal agricultural products, and there is some fishing. Refined petroleum products, rum, sugar, cement, and processed food are major manufactures. Tourism is now more important than agriculture to the economy. In 1993 Martinique’s imports cost about US$1.7 billion, and its exports earned approximately US$218 million. Principal trading partners were France and Guadeloupe. Until the end of 2001, the French franc was the legal currency; on January 1, 2002, Martinique, together with several other French territories, adopted the Euro. As at early 2007, 0.77 Euros equalled US$1.

Martinique is administered by a prefect and an elected general council of 45 members and a regional council of 41 members. The department is represented in the French National Assembly by two senators and four deputies.

Martinique was visited, probably in 1502, by Christopher Columbus. From 1635 to 1674 it was owned by a private French concern established for the purpose of colonizing America. In 1674 the island was purchased by the French government. During the colonial wars between France and Great Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries, Martinique was occupied by the British on several occasions. The island was the birthplace of Joséphine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon. In 1946 Martinique became an overseas department of France. Mount Pelée, about 1,463 m (4,800 ft) above sea level, erupted in 1902, destroying Saint-Pierre, which was once the largest city on the island.