Background: Colonized by France in 1635, the island has
subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods
of foreign occupation.
Dependency
status: overseas department of France
Capital: Fort-de-France
Currency: euro (EUR)
Geography of Martinique
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Area:
total: 1,100 sq km
land: 1,060 sq km
water: 40 sq km
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October);
vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average
temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 8%
permanent pastures: 17%
forests and woodland: 44%
other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one
major natural disaster every five years)
Geography - note: the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8
May 1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing
30,000 inhabitants.
People of Martinique
Population: 432,900 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.1%
15-64 years: 66.77%
65 years and over: 10.13%
Population growth rate: 0.93%
Birth rate: 15.76 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 6.39 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.41 years
male: 79.11 years
female: 77.69 years
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural)
adjective: Martiniquais
Ethnic groups: African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white
5%, East Indian, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages: French, Creole patois
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93%
male: 92%
female: 93% (1982 est.)
SOURCE: The World Factbook |