Martinique profits a tropical climate moderated by the Trade winds and the temperature oscillates there between 20° and 30°C
GEOGRAPHY
Surface of Martinique is 1080 km2: it measures 80Km
in its bigger length and 39 km in its greater width.
In north: the relief is tormented and the vegetation is luxuriant. It is dominated by the Pelée Mountain, culminating point of the island with an altitude of 1397m, the pitons of Carbet 1196m.
The vegetation abundant, is divided there between the tropical forest, very dense, and the banana and pineaple plantations. On the Caribbean coast, at the western side, one finds beaches with volcanic sand, while the Atlantique coast, at the east side is abrupt.
in the Center: only one plain is released from this broken unit, the one of Lamentin, where is located the international airport Aimé Césaire, and the most important industrial park of Martinique.
In the South: the relief consists of mornes which can reach 505m of altitude (Mountain of Vauclin and 478m to Diamant.
Throughout the coast, are small bays, called <<anses>>. The beaches are superb there with a limpid water and a white sand. The area of the south is very dry contrary of the north which is wet and very wooded.
HISTORY
Like the other islands of the Antilles, Martinique was probably populated, there are 2000 years ago, by Arawaks, pacifist people exterminated some 1000 years later, by the Caribbeans, quarrelsomes and expansionists.
Christophe Colomb unloaded in Martinique during his fourth forwarding in 1502 on the beach of Carbet.
In 1635 Belain D'Esnambuc accosted in Carbet and undertook the colonization of the island.
One founded the city of Fort-Royal, the current Fort-de-France in 1669.
The sugar cane developed formidably at the end of the century. To face the production, one made come the black slaves from Africa and the galériens.
The English were also interested in Martinique with for result many conflicts and a period of occupation more or less marked between 1762 and 1848.
In 1802, Joséphine de Beauharnais, born at Trois-Islets, and marries of Napoleon Bonaparte, was made empress.
On May 22, 1848, Victor Schoelcher abolishes slavery in Martinique. More than 70000 slaves were thus released.
On May 8, 1902, the eruption of the Pelée Mountain entirely destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre, the<<little Paris>> of Antilles. Its 30000 inhabitants all perished there, except the only one (held in prison). Fort de France became the capital of the island.
In 1946, Martinique became a French department, today, it also forms part of the European Union.
POPULATION
Martinique counts 411 000 inhabitants. The population of the island is varied. In that way cohabit the blacks and the mulattos, the coolies or Hindu downward the Indiens from India, brought in 1853 to work the ground in the place of the freed black slaves and finally, the békés, white Creoles who descending from the first Européens colonists and set up a group impossible to circumvent by his socio-economic weight.
Fort-de-France capital city
Fort de France counts nearly 100 000 inhabitants. it is an astonishing mixture of real modern building, creole villas coloured with the verandas out of wooden, narrow lanes and often very animated.
Full with life, noises and colors in the course of the day, Fort de France becomes a city deserted as of fallen the night. Several districts, of the capital developed at high speed and the majority of the industrial parks of surroundings no have anything to envy the metropolis.
Language
French is the official language. The Creole, spoken by all, is the language of spontaneousness and the emotions. Heritage from time when, on the plantations, Amerindians, Europeans and Africans, to communicate and include themselves/understand, used simplified French.
Religions and beliefs
The Catholic religion constitutes the first religious community of the island it is omnipresent as testifies to them the many churches set up on the island as well as the cathedral Saint Louis of Fort de France
The Judaism with a synagogue at schoelcher, and the hindouism are also represented.
The magic beliefs, inherited the African cultures, however keep a very important place in the life of many Inhabitants of Martinique.
