caribbean Articles

Martinique

Martinique, the overseas department of France is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is an integral part of France. It is also a member of the European Union. Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique.

HISTORY:- The Arawak tribes and the Carib Indians inhabited in the region before the European settlements. It was thought that Columbus discovered the island in 1502 and France settled in the island in 1635. Martinique was incorporated within the colonies of French crown in 1674. The British first settled and governed Martinique during the Seven Years' War from 1762 to 1763. During the French Revolution, civil war broke out in Martinique. In 1790, war started between the monarchists and the Parisian revolutionary government. In the following year, the monarchists declared a brief independence but in 1794, the British troop invaded and conquered Martinique and reigned until 1804. The British reassumed power in the island and controlled the island from 1809 to 1814. In 1902, in Mount Pelée, 26,000 to 36,000 people were killed. During the World War II, the Vichy regime took over the island of Martinique which later came under the Free French Forces. In 1946, Martinique gained the status of an overseas department of France.

GEOGRAPHY:- Martinique occupies total 1,130 km area. It is a mountainous island in the Lesser Antilles.

GOVERNMENT:- Martinique is an overseas department of France. The inhabitants of Martinique are considered as the French citizens with full political and legal rights. The island sends 4 deputies to the French National Assembly and 2 senators to the French Senate.

CULTURE:- The culture of Martinique is a mixture of French and Caribbean cultures while its cuisine is highly influenced by French, African, and Asian dishes.

ECONOMY:-

GDP/PPP (2003 est.): $6.117 billion; per capita $14,400.

Real growth rate: n.a.

Inflation: 3.9% (1990).

Unemployment: 27.2% (1998).

Arable land: 10%.

Agriculture: Pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane.

Labor force: 165,900 (1998); agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997).

Industries: Construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism.

Natural resources: Coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land.

Exports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1997): refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples (2001 est.).

Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1997): petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods.

Major trading partners: France, Guadeloupe, Venezuela, Germany, Italy, U.S. (2004).

Monetary unit: Franc

LANGUAGE:- French is the official language of Martinique while Antillean Creole is also spoken.

CITIES:- The capital Fort-de-France is the largest city of Martinique. Other large cities are Le Lamentin, Schoelcher, Sainte-Marie.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of Martinique is 439,202 with an average growth rate of 0.7%.

Density per sq mi: 1,074

Literacy rate: 97.7% (2003 est.)

RACE:-

African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%

White 5%

East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%

RELIGION:-

Roman Catholic 85%

Protestant 10.5%

Muslim 0.5%

Hindu 0.5%

Other 3.5% (1997)

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 13.4/1000;

Infant mortality rate: 6.8/1000;

Life expectancy: 79.3

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: 0 km.

Highways: total: 2,105 ; paved: n.a. km; unpaved: n.a. km (2000).

Ports and harbors: Fort-de-France, La Trinite, Marin.

Airports: 2 (2004 est.).

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