Martinique: the region of France known as “the Island of Flowers”
January 23, 2008
Martinique is an archipelago in the Lesser Antilles, located in the heart of the Caribbean between the island of the Dominican Republic to the North and the island of Saint Lucia in the South. Discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus, on his way to the new world, the island has been French since 1635.
Today, administratively, the island is both an overseas region of France and an overseas departmental district of France; it has a political structure identical to that of the departments of mainland France. Thus, it has a prefecture, Fort de France, which is also its chief administrative and economic town, and three sub- prefectures: Trinity, Saint-Pierre and le Marin.
Martinique is 80 km long and 40 km wide, covering a total area of 1128 km2 (700 sq. mi.), which puts it in third place after Trinidad and the Guadeloupe in the island chains of the Lesser Antilles. It is lapped in the East by the Atlantic Ocean and in the West by the Caribbean Sea, and features a craggy terrain. In fact, with the exception of the plain of Lamentin in the center of the island, the broken ground elsewhere tells of its volcanic origin.
The north of Martinique is characterized by its relatively young and jagged skyline of hills, whose highest summit is the Montagne Pelée (1397m or 4584 ft). The still-active volcanoes of recent formation such as the Montagne Pelée and the Pitons de Carbet, exult with luxuriant vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, creating a true tropical forest. In the south, the gentler terrain gives way to a succession of flat and rounded hills and enclosed valleys. The coast here, known for its many picturesque bays like Salines beach, hosts most of the tourist institutions of the island. The extreme south, the petrified savanna–ancient volcanic lands carved by time–constitutes a true geological site of interest.
The climate of Martinique is pleasant and temperate, with an average temperature of 26°c, 79° F. Trade winds waft in regularly from the East to keep the atmosphere fresh. Its tropical conditions and its geographical location make Martinique home to a great diversity of flora and fauna.
Nature is generous here and is composed of tropical forests and savannas, not to mention mangroves. The island presents an extraordinary variety of trees, fruits, plants and flowers. Martinique bears its name well: “Madinina, island of flowers”. Tourists and nature lovers are impressed by the luxuriant vegetation, with its multitude of colors and its many varieties of plants and flowers: porcelain-pink roses, anthuriums, bougainvilleas and other hibiscus types.
In the heart of this large natural garden dwells an abundance of wildlife primarily made up of birds, fish and shellfish. Some small lizards, called “mabouyas” or “anolis”, iguanas and snakes native to Martinique further enrich the animal world on the island.
These many natural assets make Martinique an ideal place for discovery and an earthly paradise for multiple activities: horseback treks along the shaded trails of the tropical forest, hikes in the heart of splendid landscapes, flights above superb inaccessible chasms and canyoning in the natural toboggan runs made by the rivers through the mountain range, to name just a few. The island has also underwater archeological sites which afford Martinique some of the best diving in the Caribbean, especially with the wrecks of Dalia, the Diamond and a wealth of others.
Lastly, the cultural and historical heritage of this French and Creole island, particularly rich and varied, can be reason alone for repeated visits. Among the madras scarves and bakoua hats, fish stew and creole sausage, let yourself be charmed by this island of mixed races, where the sweet scent of rum mixes with the perfume of fields of sugar cane. On this theme, explore the distilleries and colonial plantations of François, or the Museum of Rum in Sainte Marie. Visit the historic buildings of the capital Fort de France such as the Schoelcher library, the cathedral Saint Louis and the large, bustling market. Stop a few days in Saint-Pierre, the most famous city of Martinique, honored as a “Town of Art and History”. Partly destroyed by the eruption of the Montagne Pelée on May 8, 1902, it recalls this major event in a museum which brings together various accounts and interesting objects relating to the eruption.
Crossroads of exchange, cultures and civilizations, Martinique reveals the richness of its culture and its traditions through its customs, its architecture and its food. The latter is one of Martinique’s greatest assets, enchanting visitors with local delicacies, native produce and homemade recipes prepared with island flair. Exotic, varied, rich in colors and flavors, Martinique’s cuisine charms gourmets and hungry travelers with its “accras” fritters, Colombo curries, potted pates, its rum punches and a wealth of other specialties. With its intermixing of races and cultures Martinique celebrates diversity of all kinds and shares its various facets generously with visitors from France and all over the world in search of new experiences.
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