Martinique - A French island in the Caribbean
Martinique is one of the twenty six regions of France and is a part of their Republic. It is an island located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is also part of the European Union which means that the currency used there is the euro.
France colonized Martinique in 1635. In 1960, the Carib Expulsion caused the indigenous people to be deported and they were banned from returning to the island by the French government. From the years of 1635 until 1946, Martinique was a French colony which was very big in producing tropical trade goods such as coffee, rum, cocoa and can sugar.
Most of their economy today is still based on trade. Their sugar production has slowly declined over the years with most of the sugarcane now being used for the production of rum. The banana exports are increasing with most of them going to France. Martinique needs to import most of their meat, vegetable and grain requirements. Anymore, tourism has become more important than the agricultural exports.
The current population of Martinique is around 361,000 with the native language being French. Their cuisine reflects that of many cultures. They have local creole specials which combine the finesse of the French cuisine with that of the spicy African cookery and the exotic dishes of the East Indian recipes. You will find fresh seafood on just about any menu. Other Martinique specialties include shellfish, smoked fish, stewed conch, stuffed crabs and curry dishes. You will find most eateries in hotels, places by the sea and some which are right on the front porches of the home in which they cook lives.
When you visit Martinique, you will find that the north section of the island is very appealing to lovers of nature, those who are interested in hiking and to mountain climbers. There is a beautiful drive from Fort de France to St. Pierre. This is a place where you will find waterfalls, a rain forest and mountains. The highlight of the island is Mont Pelee. The south part of the island is much more developed than the north end. The south is where the resorts and restaurants are as well as the beaches.
If you are interested in visiting Martinique, search the web for more news or information or contact your travel agent to help you arrange a trip. You won’t want to miss the beautiful beaches, the amazing French food and music and the hospital resorts and hotels. This island is a paradise that is waiting to be discovered by you! Start planning your getaway today.