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When
Columbus landed in 1502, the island to which
he gave the name Martinique was peopled by the
Carib Indians who called it Matinino or Madinina.
They had driven away the Arawaks who, like themselves,
had come to this caribbean island from South
America. The island was claimed by France in
1635 and officially annexed by the King of France
in 1674. France and Britain fought over the
island until 1815, when it was restored to France.
An important date in Martinique's history occurred
150 years ago on May 22, 1848, when slavery
was abolished. In 1946, Martinique became a
Department of France and in 1974 a Region of
France.
Historical
sites worth seeing include La Pagerie, where
Napoléon's Empress Joséphine was
born in 1763 (the year that France relinquished
rights to Canada in exchange for the French
West Indies); Diamond Rock, a 600-ft. pinnacle
in the sea manned by the British in 1804 and
occupied by them as a sloop of war for 18 months,
and St-Pierre, Martinique's principal city until
May 8, 1902, when Mt. Pelée Volcano erupted,
wiping out the city and its 30,000 people in
three minutes.
Martinique
Today
With the exception of two short periods of British
occupation, Martinique has followed the same
course of history as France since 1635. Its
administrative and political structures have
been identical to those of the French Departments
(states) since 1946, when it officially became
a Department itself. It was granted the further
status of Region in 1974. Fort-de-France is
the administrative and commercial capital of
the island
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Hotels in Martinique
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Martinique
Climate
The mean temperature averages 79°F. Two
regular, alternating wind currents (east and
northeast) cool the atmosphere. These are the
tradewinds, called les alizés. There
is only about a 5° difference between summer
and winter temperatures.
Martinique
Geography
Martinique lies in the heart of the Caribbean
Archipelago and is one of the many islands which
make up the group of lesser Antilles, or "Breezy
Islands."
The
waters lapping at its shores are those of the
Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Caribbean
Sea to the west. The island is located 4,261
miles from Paris (8 hours by plane), and is
273 miles from the American continent (4.5 hours
by plane, direct flight). The closest two neighboring
islands are Dominica (15.5 miles to the north)
and Saint Lucia (23 miles to the south.)
Martinique
is 1,965 miles from New York City, 1,470 miles
from Miami, 2,270 miles from Montreal, and 425
miles from San Juan.
The
island has a surface area of 426 square miles
and at its greatest length and width, measures
50 miles by 22 miles, respectively. The land
rises gradually from the coast toward the center
and northern parts of the island. It is in the
north that we find the two peaks of the Carbet
and Mont Pelée, a dormant volcano that
is the highest mountain on the island at 4,586
ft. This part of Martinique is also a legendary
tropical rainforest. In the center of the island,
the Lamentin Plain, made up of small, rounded
hills and enclosed valleys, slopes down toward
the south. The Salines Beach at the southernmost
tip of the island comes straight out of a beautiful
postcard.
Martinique
Population
The population in Martinique is made up of various
peoples. Their diversity is the result of the
mixing of different ethnic groups that, at one
time or another, settled on the island
Martinique
Religion
The two Catholic Cathedrals and large number
of parish churches illustrate the importance
of Catholicism on the island. However, many
religious communities also have their place
here, including the Adventist Church and
Jehovah's Witnesses |
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Schoelcher
This is in the suburbs of Fort-de-France, where
the university campus is located.
Case-Pilote
The 17th-century church in Jesuit and rococo
style is the oldest on the island.
Bellefontaine
A tiny village hanging onto the cliff's edge.
From the Bellefontaine beach you can watch typical
fishing scenes. The fishermen here use a special
type of net called a "Senne."
Morne-Vert
This village not only has a very pleasant climate
but also offers a magnificent view of the peaks
of Carbet and Mont Pelée.
Le
Carbet
There are two spots to visit in this village:
the Bally distillery on the outskirts of the
village and the Gauguin Museum.
Fonds
Saint-Denis
Clinging to the slopes of the Carbet, this enchanting
little community stretches out along a winding
road. Fonds Saint-Denis is dominated by the
Morne-des-Cadets, at the summit of which is
an observatory keeping constant watch over Mont
Pelée.
Saint-Pierre
You cannot afford to miss this town, made famous
for its near-total destruction by the eruption
of Mont Pelée in 1902. The river of boiling
hot lava claimed 30,000 victims. There was one
survivor by the name of Cyparis, a prisoner
who was protected by the thick walls of his
cell. The Franck Perret Museum of Vulcanology
has a whole collection of relics from this period
that were transformed by the terrific heat.
Le
Precheur
This is the last town on the northern Caribbean
Coast. It is famous for the hot volcanic springs
and the "Tomb of the Caribbean," where,
according to legend, a collective suicide took
place when the Carib Indians returned from fishing
to find that their village had been pillaged
by the colonials. Visit the Ceron Plantation.
Le
Morne-Rouge
This village stretches to the foot of Mont Pelée.
For those who want to climb this majestic mountain,
it is best to do so with a guide.Le Morne-Rouge
is also known for its pineapple jam, anthurium
plantations, and well-known spring waters, which
are bottled here.
Ajoupa-Bouillon
This little village full of flowers is the home
of an extraordinary place called "les Gorges
de la Falaise." These are the mini-gorges
of the Falaise River, and you can walk up them
to a very lovely waterfall. The botanical footpath
called "Les Ombrages" is a beautiful
walk where you can delight in the tropical vegetation.
Basse-Pointe
Huge fields of banana and pineapple trees line
the road that leads to this town, which is situated
on the Atlantic coast. It is worth making a
small detour to visit the Leyritz Plantation,
a colonial home built in 1700 and renovated
in 1970 into a hotel-restaurant. There is a
very interesting museum of dolls that are made
out of plants.
Le
Macouba
This village is built on the top of a cliff.
The distillery that produces "JM Crassous
de Medeuil" rum is located here.
Grand-Rivière
This is one of the most picturesque places in
Martinique. It is a small fishing village which
has often been completely cut off from the rest
of the island after heavy rains. You can see
children challenging the huge waves of the Atlantic
on surfboards called "floats" which
are made from tree trunks. Quite a sight.
Le
Lorrain
This is a big pre-Columbian site celebrated
for its spectacular views.
Le
Marigot
This is a little village full of flowers and
built in the shape of an amphitheater that faces
the sea.
Sainte-Marie
On the agenda here: the Rum Museum founded by
the Saint James distillery; the Monastery; the
Fond Saint Jacques cultural center; and at Morne-des-Esses,
a wickerwork factory where the traditional Caribbean
working techniques are still in use.
La
Trinite
This is one of the two sub-prefectures of the
island. The town stretches out to the Caravelle
peninsula, one of the most beautiful sites of
the island, especially of the far end at the
Baie du Tresor and Château Dubuc.
Gros-Morne
This is essentially an agricultural town that
dominates the region and offers a view on to
the pineapple fields, which seem to stretch
down all the way to the sea.
Saint-Joseph
This small village is situated inland. The soil
is fertile and the climate favorable for farming.
You can go around the forest which has been
specially prepared for visitors.
La
Baie de Fort-de-France
This is one of the most beautiful bays in the
world.
La
Savane
Five hectares of public gardens with magnificent
tropical plants.
La
Cathedrale Saint Louis
Built in 1895, this cathedral has a roman-style
bell tower. Many governors are buried in the
chancel, but it is without a doubt the huge
organs that attract the most visitors.
The
Fruit and Vegetable Market and the Fish Market
Picturesque and colorful, you can spend time
discovering the spirit of Fort-de-France.
Floral
Park
There are a number of traditional workshops,
an exotic aquarium, and a botanical and geological
gallery.
Schoelcher
Library
Designed by the architect Henry Pick, this library
was built in Paris for the Exposition of 1889,
and then dismantled and brought from France,
brick by brick, and completed in 1893.
Le
Lamentin
The airport, hippodrome and industrial zones
based in this town are three of the Department's
main centers of activity. The fields of sugar
cane stretch out across the Lamentin plain away
to the horizon.
Ducos
Situated inland, Ducos is mainly an agricultural
town with a booming small-trade and industrial
area.
Rivière-Salée
The Rivière-Salée is a large plain
that has been given over to growing sugar cane.
Although there is no distillery within the territory
belonging to this district, on some of the houses
you can still see structures that date to the
last century.
Trois-Ilets
You can get there by car of course, but also
on the ferry boat from Fort-de-France. The Pagerie
Museum is in this town, set up on the spot where
Empress Josephine was born. A number of musical
and cultural events are organized in the Park
of the Trois-Ilets close to the island's magnificent
golf club. You must not miss the Market, and
the Sugar Cane Museum. The Pottery, where the
objects are handmade using a potter's wheel,
is also worth a visit.
Les
Anses d'Arlet
This is a small fishing village whose beautiful
beach is sought out by those on vacation.
Le
Diamant
This village is situated in front of the rock
that shares its name, a rock that rises out
of the sea 2 1/2 miles off the coast. You can
admire the rock, home to many birds, from various
spots. The Gaoule house standing beside an old
mill is also worth a look.
Sainte-Luce
This is a pretty fishing village surrounded
by several small beaches of white sand. You
can see the rocks carved by the Carib Indians
in the Montravail forest, which has been specially
prepared to receive visitors.
Riviere-Pilote
The grain store of the south, Rivière
Pilote has vegetation very similar to that in
the north. A few kilometers from the village,
cockfighting and snake-mongoose fighting take
place regularly in the big "Pitt."
On the same road, the Mauny distillery produces
one of the best known white rums of the island.
Le
Marin
Le Marin is one of the two sub-prefectures on
the island. The recent economic and commerical
development here is the result of the decentralization
policy. The church was built in Jesuit style
and dates back to 1766. It is one of the most
beautiful historic monuments in Martinique.
Amateur yachtsmen know the bay as the best mooring
spot on the island. A biennial celebration takes
place in Le Marin in the month of August.
Sainte-Anne
This is a pretty little region at the far southern
end of the island. There are several headlands,
coves and capes with beautiful white sand beaches,
the most famous of which is Les Salines, undoubtedly
one of the most majestic beaches in all the
West Indies. Beyond the Pointe des Salines,
the Stony Savanna is an arid expanse of land
scattered with jasper plants and petrified wood.
Le
Vauclin
This is a fishing village, where one can regularly
find fresh fish and seafood. The return of the
skiffs and fishing boats made from gum tree
wood is a sight not to be missed. A few miles
from the town, at Anse Macabou, there is a beach
which has been equipped to accept visitors.
If you go hiking on the Montagne du Vauclin,
you can get a wonderful panoramic view.
Le
Saint-Esprit
This is an agricultural village known for its
fruit, vegetables and sugar cane. Don't forget
to visit the Popular Traditions and Arts Museum
where Martinique's rich national heritage is
displayed.
Le
François
This is mainly an agricultural region whose
fertile soils have been further enhanced by
the La Mauzo dam irrigation system. The coast
at Le FranÇois is well-known for its
band of breakers, many little islands, and white
sandy sea beds (with high sand bars that extend
far out to sea) which make it a very pleasant
place for sailing excursions. At the heart of
the island, in the region of Acajou, is found
the Clement distillery, where the old house
has been converted into a very beautiful museum.
Le
Robert
Tucked into the bay full of little islands,Le
Robert is the headquarters for recent experiments
in fish farming.
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