Martinique Background Information

General Information

Area: 1100 sq km (424.7 sq miles).

Population: 381,427 (1999).

Population Density: 346.8 per sq km.

Capital: Fort-de-France. Population: 94,049 (1999).

GEOGRAPHY: The French Overseas Department of Martinique, a volcanic and picturesque island, is the northernmost of the Windward Caribbean group. The island is noticeably more rocky than those of the Leeward group, with beaches (of fine black or white or peppered sand) surrounded by sugar, palm, banana and pineapple plantations. Christopher Columbus called it ‘the most beautiful country in the world’ and before he named it in honour of St Martin, it was called Madinina (‘island of flowers’) by the native population.

Government: Martinique is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by Prefect Dominique Bellion since 1998. Head of Government: Claude Lise, President of the General Council since 1992.

Language: The official language is French; a Creole patois is widely used.

Religion: The majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Time: GMT - 4.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 596. Outgoing international code: 19. There are both payphones and card phones on the island. Télécartes (phonecards) are sold at post offices, newsagents and kiosks. There are only card phones at the airport.

Fax: Available in most hotels.

Mobile telephone: GSM 1800/900 networks in use. Roaming agreements in operation. Network providers include Améris (website: www.francetelecom.com), Orange Caraibe (website: www.orangecaraibe.com) and Bouygues Telecom Caraibe (website: www.bouyguestelecomcaraibe.com). Coverage extends throughout the French Antilles and in French Guiana.

Internet: Local ISPs include Wanadoo (website: www.wanadoo.fr) and Net Antilles (website: www.antilles-net.com).

Post: Letters take about a week to reach Europe. Post offices are open Mon-Fri 0700-1800, and Saturday mornings.

Press: Newspapers are in French and vary in their political bias. The main daillies are France Antilles, Antilla, Aujourd’hui Dimanche and Carib Hedo.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.

BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):

Christopher Columbus first landed in Martinique in 1502, here he found the island inhabited by the Carib Indians who once shared the land with the Arawaks before they drove them out. The Caribs named the island Madirina “the Island of Flowers”

The British occupied the island twice before the French and then adopted their structure of Government. Martinique is part of the Windward Islands group, to the west is the Caribbean Sea and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean. It lies 1,965 miles from New York and neighbouring islands are St. Lucia to the south and Dominica to the North.

The climate here is quite mild and temperatures rarely climb beyond 79 degrees farenheight. The “alizes” breezes blow from the north-east bringing in fresh and cool air. Dubbed the “Island of flowers” Martinique lends itself to a vast array of natural fauna, such as coconuts, giant bamboos, royal palms, traveller’s trees, bengali roses among many others.

The population of Martinique is multi-racial because of the different peoples who first settled there. The different ethnic groups married together and created the mixed society that exists today.

The spoken language in Martinique is french but the vast majority speak local creole which is a mixture of Spanish, French and English. The only well understood language of these is English.

Martinique has developed its own form of music known as the biguine and the people often dance to the mazurca or the waltz. The island is mainly Catholic by nature but other religious communities also thrive here, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses’, a synagogue and Adventist Churches.

This island is also home to a capital, Fort de France and many towns both south and north. Some of these are Ducos, Le Marin, Sainte-Luce, Sainte-Anne, Le Vauclin and many others.

There is a wealth of sightseeing, and it is best begun with a visit to the Martinique Tourist Office, housed in handsome quarters on the Boulevard Alfassa, which borders the waterfront in Fort-de-France. The Tourist Office (Tel: 63.79.60) is open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (Friday's closing 5 p.m.), and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. (The Tourist Office Information Desk at the new airport is open daily until the last flight comes in.)

Complimentary maps, magazines and information bulletins are available at the Tourist 0ffice, and the English-speaking staff is very helpful with suggestions about what to see and do. Among free publications in French and English are the digest-sized Choubouloute, a listing in brief about happenings on the island. A series of seven self-drive tours has been designed by the Tourist Office. All are described (along with other items of touristic interest) in the guide Martinique Info, published in English and available free of charge. Similar sightseeing tours are offered by taxi or motorcoach. Information on organized island excursions by tour operators can be found at the Tourist Office and at hotel desks.

SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS
Fort-de-France, the capital, is wonderful to explore on foot. Among the sightseeing attractions is the city's architectural masterpiece, the Bibliothèque Schoelcher, or Schoelcher Library, a Romanesque-Byzantine gem built 100 years ago for the Paris Exposition of 1889, then dismantled and shipped to Martinique mosaic by mosaic. Named for Victor Schoelcher, the French abolitionist whose work helped end slavery on the island in 1848, it sits just off La Savane, the central park. La Savane's gardens make for pleasant strolling and picture-taking, and boast two impressive statues: one of Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc, the French nobleman who claimed the island for France in 1635, the other of Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, who was born in Trois Ilets across the bay, and made history as Napoléon's Empress Joséphine.

The capital's narrow balconied streets, lined with shops and restaurants, each lead to a pleasant discovery: the Cathedral of Saint-Louis; the Palais de Justice with its statue of Victor Schoelcher; the Théâte Municipal, the former city hall, used now for theatical poductions and art shows;the Musée Départemental with archeological finds from prehistoric Martinique; the Musée Régional d'Histoire et d'Ethnogaphie which retraces the history and the ethnography of Martinique; the "Gen Lontan" Museum where one discovers the island though peiod costumes; the Rivière Madame and its busy fish markets. Azimut (Tel: 60.16.59) offers four fine, nicely priced guided walking tours of Fort-de-France.

The classic tour of Martinique travels north along the Caribbean coast to St. Pierre, the ''Paris of the West Indies" until 1902 when Mont Pelée Volcano erupted and turned it into a New World Pompeii. A museum on the spot vividly portrays the tragedy. A nice way to visit this historic town is on the little train, the Cyparis Express. One-hour tours weekdays and half-hour tours weekends cost 4OF for adults, 20F for children. New and outstanding is a 50-passenger submarine for exploring the offshore shipwrecks: $71 for adults, $35 for children. In 1990, St. Pierre was designated a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire. The drive from Fort-de-France takes less than an hour, but stops along the way are recommended, including the fishing villages of Case-Pilote and Bellefontaine, as well as Carbet, where Columbus landed in 1502 and where Gauguin lived and painted in 1887. The Gauguin Museum is well worth a visit.

Inland is Morne Rouge, a pretty town with a cool climate, and site of MacIntosh Plantation, a renowned cultivator of Martinique's best-known flower, the anthurium. Nearby is La Trace, a dazzling route through the rain forest. This mountainous northern half of the island is also lush with banana and pineapple plantations, avocado groves, cane fields, and such lovely old island inns as Leyritz and Habitation Lagrange.

Other noteworthy communities in the north include: Le Precheur, the last village along the northern Caribbean coast, known for hot springs of volcanic origin and the Tomb of the Carib Indians; Ajoupa Bouillon, an enchanting flower-lined town with a nature trail called Les Ombrages and, nearby, the Gorges de la Falaise, mini canyons along the Falaise River that lead to a waterfall; Grand Riviere, a picturesque fishing village constantly braving the fierce Atlantic Ocean. Also in the north, the Trinité and the Caravelle Peninsulas house the ruins of the Chateau Dubuc, a spot as fascinating as some of its family members: Louis-Fransois Dubuc, the man instrumental in preventing the spread of the French Revolution to Martinique, and Aimee Dubuc de Rivery who, like Joséphine, was destined for history. Returning home to Martinique after schooling in Nannies, she was captured by pirates, sold into slavery, then given as a present to the Sultan of Constantinople. Aimée became Sultana Vallde, mother of Sultan Mahmoud II.

As rich as the island's history is the island's soil. Rum distilleries abound throughout Martinique and all of them welcome visitors for a sampling of their product. The St. James Distillery at Sainte-Marie in the north operates the Musée du Rhum. (Nearby is Morne des Esses, a straw-weaving center.) The charming Rhum Clement Domaine Acajou in Le François on the east coast, site of the March 1991 Summit Meeting of Presidents Bush and Mitterrand, recently added a fine contemporary museum. The Fonds Saint Jacques, a historically important 17th-century sugar estate in the north, attracts visitors with its Musée Père Labat, and lastly, just outside Trois Ilets, is the Maison de la Canne, a modern museum devoted to sugar and rum. Also near Trois Ilets is Josephine's birthplace, La Pagerie, which has a museum chock-full of her mementos; nearby is the Parc des Floralies, a peaceful and pretty botanical park. Likewise of note in the vicinity, is the Potters Center and the 18-hole Golf de l'lmpératrice.

Martinique is called the "Isle of Flowers," and stops at some of its floral gardens are rewarding experiences. One of the most beautiful is the Jardin de Balata on the Route de La Trace in the suburbs north of the capital. A short drive from here is the Sacre Coeur de Balata, a replica of the famed basilica which dominates Montmartre in Paris.

Sightseeing attractions in the south of Martinique include the historic offshore landmark, H.M.S. Diamond Rock, a sort of Caribbean Gibraltar rising 600 feet from the sea and used by the British in 1804 as a sloop of war; Le Marin, with a well-equipped marina, as well as an ancient Jesuit-style church dating to 1766; the coves, peninsulas and white sand beaches around Salnte-Anne, notably the Plage des Salines and Cap Chevalier. (For day trips to the latter, contact Garcin Dore at Taxi Cap, Tel: 76.93.10.) Sightseeing the island's underwater world is thrilling by Aquascope, a semi-submersible craft. One is based at Le Marin (Tel: 74.87.41); one at the Marina Pointe du Bout (Tel: 68.36.09). Tours make for unusual water excursions, take approximately one hour, and cost roughly 100F for adults and about half that for children. Lastly, La Ferme Perrine (Tel.57.17.16).

ZOO AND ''VALLEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES''
Great for adults and kids is the Zoo du Carbet, newly renovated and featuring animals of the Caribbean, Amazon and Africa. Admission: 20F, adults; 10F, children. Open daily at Le Coin in Carbet. (Tel: 78.00.64.) Nearby, the ''Valley of the Butterflies," created at Carbet's Botanical Garden, is situated among the ruins of the earliest 17th-century settlements of Martinique. Admission: 38F, adults; 28F, kids. (Tel: 78.19.19.) Before or after viewing the profusion of butterflies, one can dine at a nice refreshment parlor on the grounds called "Le Poids du Roy." (Tel: 78.18.07)

MUSEUMS
More than one dozen museums, each with a very distinct personality, offer visitors a wonderful opportunity to explore Martinique's history and heritage. The museums are small, designed for easy visiting, and are scattered throughout the island. Some, like La Pagerie are devoted to famous island personalities such as the Empress Josephine, others to historical events like the eruption of Mont Pelée Volcano, still others to prehistoric Martinique, the abolition of slavery, the production of rum, etc. Of note at Anse Figuier is the seaside Ecomusée de Martinique, a retospective from Amerindian times, though colonialism, slavery and the plantation ecconomy, to peent day taditions. Modest entrance fee.

SHOPPING
French perfumes, crystal, jewelry, designer accessories, watches, liqueurs, spices, dolls, shell and straw work, handicrafts such as patchwork tapestries, island rums are the most popular buys. Stores like Cadet Daniel and Roger Albert, which cater as much to visitors as to locals, open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and on Saturday mornings. There is a 20% discount on luxury items paid for by travelers' checks or credit cards.There are boutiques in many hotels and in the marina area of Pointe du Bout. The airport duty-free shop is usually open prior to plane departures.

Paintings and sculpture by native-born Martiniquais or artists who have moved to the island can be found at galleries in Fort-de-France and at some hotels.

La Galleria,5 minutes from the airport, outside of Fort-de-France, the larget shopping center in the West-Indies opens Monday to Thusday 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Getting around In Martinique

Approximate taxi fares from the airport are the following: to Fort-de-France 70-100 F and to Pointe-du-Bout/Diamant 150-250 F. Fares are fixed but you should agree to them beforehand. Fares are 40% higher from 8 pm-6 am. Check the rate with your driver.

In addition to public buses, there are more than 400 eight-passenger mini-vans bearing the letters "TC" (taxis collectifs) on the top or license plates. The public buses are inexpensive and often crowded. A sample fare from Fort de France to Ste Anne is about 30F. "TC" routes radiate from the Pointe Simon terminal in Fort-de-France to all the major towns. Destinations are posted in the front window or on the side. They depart frequently from early morning until approximately 6:00 pm.

Because Martinique is a large island with many interesting sites, renting a car is perhaps the most convenient way to travel. From the U.S. and Canada, vehicle rentals can be arranged through Avis (800-831-2847), Budget (800-472-3325), Hertz (800-654-3131) and Thrifty (800-367-2277). If your flight is scheduled to arrive after 10 pm, ask Avis or Hertz if they still stay open for late night arrivals. There are also many local car rental companies.

Roads are generally good on Martinique and traffic stays to the right. Drivers are skillful but they do tend to speed and tailgate somewhat. If you have an appointment, always allow extra time for slow moving trucks or groups of bicyclists. Traffic rules and signage are the same as in France. For stays of 20 days or less, a valid driver's license is needed. For longer stays, an international driver's permit is necessary. Maps are available at service stations and bookstores. It's more convenient to purchase your own detailed map (Map Link 805-692-6777) in advance.

Fort-de-France is linked round-trip via ferry service with Pointe du Bout daily from early a.m. until after midnight, and with Anse Mitan, Anse-a-l'Ane and Grande Anse d'Arlet from early morning until late afternoon. Arrival and departure point in Fort-de-France for all ferries (or vedettes, as they are called locally) is the Quai d'Esnambuc. The price (in Winter 1996) for a round-trip ticket between Fort-de-France and Pointe du Bout: 24F for adults, 10F for children 2 to 7. Round-trip, F-de-F/Anse Mitan, is the same.