| Volcanic in origin, Martinique is a mountainous stunner crowned by the still-smoldering Mont Pelée, the volcano that famously wiped out the former capital of St-Pierre in 1902.
There are two large bays—Fort-de-France and Marin—on the western coast.
It is included in the Lesser Antilles island chain. Get 30% your subscription today. In the north the Grande, Céron, Roxelane, Pères, and Sèche rivers are little more than irregular torrents.The northern coastline of Martinique is characterized by steep cliffs; farther south, however, the cliffs become lower.
There's only one Martinique.
Author of These are an active The tortuous relief of the island has created a complex drainage pattern characterized by short watercourses.
In the south the Salée and Pilote rivers flow down from the slopes of Mount Vauclin.
Permanent Secretary, Academy of Overseas Sciences, Paris.
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Explore Martinique holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Head, Centre of Studies and Documentation on Africa and Overseas, Paris.
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In the centre the rivers flow outward from the Carbet Mountains in a starlike pattern; they include the Lorrain, Galion, Capot, and Lézarde rivers. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.The name Martinique is probably a corruption of the Indian name Madiana (“Island of Flowers”) or Madinina (“Fertile Island with Luxuriant Vegetation”), as reputedly told to Martinique is about 50 miles (80 km) long and reaches a maximum width of 22 miles (35 km).
Black sand beaches and rainforests are found in the north, with yet more beautiful sands to the south.
Sights include La Pagerie, birthplace of Napoleon's Empress Josephine, and Diamond Rock, a 600-foot pinnacle, once registered as a British warship.Create a Trip to save and organize all of your travel ideas, and see them on a mapPlaces to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences.Set-it-and-forget-it annual travel insurance from $135/year.Excursions Caribbean Coast: Dolphins, coral bottom.What part of Martinique do you recommend for a holiday?
Spanish and English are Puerto Rico’s official languages. Virtually any topic for the virtual learner.
Its nearest neighbours are the island republics of Dominica , 22 miles (35 km) to the northwest, and Saint Lucia , 16 miles (26 km) to the south. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.
Local culture and cuisine combine both influences.
Breathtaking natural beauty; hotels, villas, and Creole residences to suit every style of travel; pulsating authenticity, traditions and culture; magnificent protected hiking trails, intriguing mangrove tours, and canyoning adventures; world-famous surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, bill fishing, and every other conceivable water sport or just relaxing on the beach… This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of This Gallic toehold in the Caribbean exudes a distinctly French air, enticingly spiced up by West Indian warmth.
There are relatively few kinds of animals on the island. Martinique Tourism: Tripadvisor has 160,427 reviews of Martinique Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Martinique resource. The northeast trade winds, which blow almost 300 days per year, temper the heat, but winds from the south are hot and humid and sometimes bring hurricanes.There are two distinct seasons—a relatively dry season, which lasts from December to June, and a rainy winter season from July to December. There is abundant precipitation, especially in July and September, but it is irregularly distributed, varying from about 40 inches (1,000 mm) to almost 400 inches (10,000 mm) per year, depending on elevation and landforms.The climate, together with the fertile volcanic soil, produces a luxuriant flora in four vegetational zones: the maritime zone, the lowlands, the former forest zone, and the upper mountain slopes.
Among the smallest of the French overseas territories, Martinique has one of the highest population densities in the Antilles.The mountainous relief of Martinique takes the form of three principal massifs. The maritime zone includes an enormous mangrove swamp, half of which is located in the bay of Fort-de-France.
The stylish isle is dominated by Mount Pelee, which destroyed the city of St. Pierre in 1902. A catamaran tour of the Caribbean, including stops at Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent.Piton Boucher (right) in the Carbet Mountains, Martinique.
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Coral reefs, headlands, and coves line the eastern coast.The climate is remarkably constant, the average temperature being about 79 °F (26 °C), with average minimums of 68–72 °F (20–22 °C), average maximums of 86–90 °F (30–32 °C), and temperature extremes of 59 °F (15 °C) and 93 °F (34 °C).