Martinique

conventional long form: Department of Martinique
conventional short form: Martinique
local long form: Departement de la Martinique
local short form: Martinique

General Info

Area

1,100 km²

Capital

Fort-de-France

Currency

euro (EUR)
note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

International phone code

596

Internet country code

.mq

Languages

French, Creole patois

Religions

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, other

Population

401,000

Government

Republic

Flag

Unofficial flag, derives from the civil ensign flown by French merchant ships and dates to 1766; a light blue field quartered by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white, coiled snake representing the venomous Fer-de-lance; the flag of France is used for official occasions.

Description

Martinique is an overseas department of France.

History

Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3°C; humid

For visitors

Immigration rules/visa

Vaccinations

Transportation

Prices

Weblinks

Wikipedia article