- Martinique is an insular region of France located in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of 1,128 square kilometres (436 sq mi) and a population of 385,551 inhabitants as of January 2013.
Skyline of Fort De France:
- Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. One of the Windward Islands, it is directly north of Saint Lucia, southeast of Greater Antilles, northwest of Barbados, and south of Dominica.
- As with the other overseas departments, Martinique is one of the eighteen regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the République française (French Republic). As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the euro. The official language is French, and virtually the entire population also speaks Antillean Creole (Créole Martiniquais).
And, as a Danish Borger, I am travelling in the Caribbean as a European Borger. This means that an Island like Martinique is especially welcoming to me. It is to compare to when I find myself somewhere in France and I get lost. People, French persons, will understand it and be friendly and welcoming.
Just like French persons always are welcome in Denmark and other Æropæan countries...
This is an undescribable feeling of connectedness. It is so warm and homely! I hunger for those connections that we as humans can feel, no matter where you are from you will have connections!
That is beauty! It makes sense and gives meaning to us!
- Pre-European contact
The island was occupied first by Arawaks, then by Caribs. The Carib people had migrated from the mainland to the islands about 1201 CE, according to carbon dating of artifacts. They were largely displaced, exterminated and assimilated by the Taino, who were resident on the island in the 1490s.
Together with Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Mayotte and French Guiana, Martinique is one of the Overseas Departments of France. It is also an outermost region of the European Union. The inhabitants of Martinique are French citizens with full political and legal rights. Martinique sends four deputies to the French National Assembly and two senators to the French Senate.
In January, 2010, during a referendum, the Inhabitants of Martinique approved in 68.4% the passage in a " unique community ", within the framework of the article 73 of the Constitution, this one replaces and exercises the skills of the General Council and the regional council.
Part of the archipelago of the Antilles, Martinique is located in the Caribbean Sea about 450 km (280 mi) northeast of the coast of South America and about 700 km (435 mi) southeast of the Dominican Republic. It is directly north of St. Lucia, northwest of Barbados, southeast of both Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic and south of Dominica.
The total area of Martinique is 1,100 square kilometres (420 sq mi), of which 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi) is water and the rest land. Martinique is the 3rd largest island in The Lesser Antilles after Trinidad and Guadeloupe. It stretches 70 km (43 mi) in length and 30 km (19 mi) in width. The highest point is the volcano of Mont Pelée at 1,397 metres (4,583 ft) above sea level.
The island is volcanic in origin, lying along the subduction fault where the South American Plate slides beneath the Caribbean Plate. Martinique has eight different centers of volcanic activity. The oldest rocks are andesitic lavas dated to about 24 million years ago, mixed with tholeiitic magma containing iron and magnesium. Mont Pelée, the island's most dramatic feature, formed about 400,000 years ago. Pelée erupted in 1792, 1851, and twice in 1902. The eruption of 8 May 1902, destroyed Saint-Pierre and killed 28,000 people in 2 minutes; that of 30 August 1902 caused nearly 1,100 deaths, mostly in Morne-Red and Ajoupa-Bouillon.
The Caribbean Islands and in General just the whole Planet all over the sea-connected Islands, you will see the immense presence of Sailing Boats.. Modern SailBoats function both as a transportation Boat, Beds under a roof, Kitchen facilities, toilet and shower, small library. Well, anything really that you can think of putting in a SailBoat, some sailors have already done it before, and right now are still doing it!
I hope you enjoyed!
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- Yours truly and only
The King of SkandiNarnia! ;)
sources of images and information:
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