French overseas department, Martinique which with a nickname like, "the island of flowers", will seduce you, with its diversity of landscapes.
Located 7,000 km from mainland France and 2,900 km from North America, Martinique is bordered to the west by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Covering an area of 1080 km2, this island measures 80 km at its longest point and 39 km at its widest point.
Its population is the most mixed of the islands of the Lesser Antilles.
To the south, the landscapes are more arid and made up of hills that can reach an altitude of up to 505m (Vauclin mountain). All along the coast, there are small bays called "coves", the beaches are superb with clear water and white sand.
To the north, the terrain is more mountainous and the vegetation very lush. Dominated by the peeled mountain (highest point of the island 1397m above sea level), the Pitons du Carbet and the Morne Jacob, this part of the island offers volcanic sand beaches. To the north, you will find pineapple and banana crops.
On the Atlantic side few beaches are accessible because the coast is very steep and as if torn by the ocean (see circuits n°2).
Before 1493 |
Arawaks and Caribs successively populate the islands of the Lesser Antilles. |
1502 |
Christopher Columbus discovers Martinique. |
September 1635 |
Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc disembarks at Carbet and begins the colonization of the island. |
1636 |
The first slaves arrive in Martinique to work in the cane fields. |
1658 |
Disappearance of the last Caribbean Indians. |
1848 |
Abolition of slavery. The settlers call for labor from India. |
May 8, 1902 |
Eruption of Mount Pelée and total destruction of the town of Saint-Pierre. |
March 19, 1946 |
Martinique becomes French Department. |
1982 |
With the law of decentralization, Martinique becomes a region. Today, Martinique is both a region and a department. |
Of a hot and humid tropical type, Martinique is characterized by an average annual temperature of 26°. There are 2 seasons: Lent and Winter.
The hot and dry Lent extends from December to May with a period of great drought from February to April when the sunshine is maximum. The temperature in this season varies between 27° and 34°.
The rainy season, which is more humid, lasts from June to November and is characterized by a significant cyclonic risk.
The relief also plays a decisive role and conditions the rainfall pattern: the mountainous regions of the north, which rain more, have a cooler climate than that of the coast. The sun is present all year round and the island is rocked by the trade winds coming from the east and north/east. Martinique therefore benefits from an appreciable temperate oceanic climate throughout the year.
