Location : Archipelago surrounded by the Carribean Sea and by the Atlantic Ocean.
Often called “the Flower Island”, the name “Martinique” comes from “Saint Martin” (celebrated November 11th. The day the island was discovered by Christophus Colombus in 1993.

Area : 1 080 km2

Population : Around 382 000

Main Cities : Fort-de-France, chief-town (94 000 inhabitants), Le Lamentin (35 000),
Schoelcher (21 000).

Climate : Tropical

 

Practical Information

Time Zone : GMT - 4 hours

Currency : French Franc (then Euro)

Air & Sea Connections :
- 1 international Airport in « Le Lamentin »
- numerous sea connections within the Carribean

 

Status

« Département d'outre-mer » by the Law of March, 19th 1946

Prefect : 1 (in Fort-de-France) - « Sous-préfets » : 3 (Trinité, Marin and Saint-Pierre)

Deputies : 4 - Senators : 2

General Council : 45 members

Regional Council : 41 members

Districts : 4 - Parishes : 34

 

Statistics

Fishing and Aquaculture, Industry and Handicraft are mostly domestic oriented.

Agriculture : The sector employs 15 % of the working population and remains the main export incoming source of the island.
Main exports : Banana, sugar-cane, rum, honeydew, pineapple.

The industry sector regroups 1 984 companies, among which 151 employ more than 10 persons.
The Food Industry is one of the major local industries.

The service sector ensures 75 % of the employment activity.
Main activities : import-export, wholesale and retail businesses, banks, tourism and transports.