Travel in Martinique
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Informations on Martinique: history, politics, economy, culture, Did you mean: Martinique
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Fort-de-France |
| Government | NA |
| Currency | euro (EUR); French franc (FRF) |
| Area | total: 1,100 sq km water: 40 sq km land: 1,060 sq km |
| Population | 422,277 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | French, Creole patois |
| Religion | Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% |
Martinique is a Caribbean island that is an overseas department, (or dependent territory), of France in the Caribbean Sea, to the north of Trinidad and Tobago.
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.
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Regions
In the South of the island, there are many beautiful beaches with a lot of tourists. In the North, the landscapes and the black sand beaches are worth seeing.
Cities
- Fort-de-France - Capital
- Saint_Pierre
- La_Trinite
Other destinations
Understand
This island experiences an average of one major natural disaster every five years. This includes hurricanes, flooding and volcanic eruptions.
Climate
Tropical and humid with an average temperature 17.3 degrees C. The climate is moderated by trade winds. The rainy season is from June to October but the island is vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average.
Terrain
Mountainous with indented coastline and a dormant volcano as well as related volcanic activity.
- Highest point
- Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
History
Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.
Get in
By plane
- From Venezuela, company Avior Airlines (http://www.aviorairlines.com/) ~180? each way.
- From Guadeloupe, company Air Caraibes (http://www.aircaraibes.com/) ~150? round trip.
- From Germany, FRA (via Paris), company Air France (http://www.airfrance.com/) ~700? round trip.
By boat
From the surrounding islands, you can use these ferry companies:
- Express des Iles (http://www.express-des-iles.com/)
- Brudey Frères (http://www.brudey-freres.fr)
Get around
You can rent a car to drive where you want. There are no trains and the buses are not the best to drive around in the island, especially for tourists.
Talk
- Languages
- French, Creole patois
Buy
Eat
Drink
- Karaoke-Café, quartier Basse Gondeau 97232 Le Lamentin, 0596 50 07 71, bar/restaurant/nightclub, currently the trendiest place (but not the most typical). Live music, Karaoke, 80s, dance, techno, worldmusic. Entrance 20? with a drink.
Sleep
Learn
Work
For European people coming from an EU country, working in Guadeloupe is allowed without problem. If you're from outside the EU, you will probably need a work permit - check with the French Embassy in your country. Do not forget though that the unemployment rate is high. But if you work in the heath sector (doctor, nurse), it will be much easier.
Voluntary service: Volontariat Civil à l'Aide Technique (VCAT). Conditions: you must be French or from another EU-member state or a country belonging to the European Economic Area. You must be over 18 and under 28 years old (inclusive). You must not have had your civic rights revoked by a court or have been convicted of certain offences. VCAT (http://www.outre-mer.gouv.fr/outremer/front?id=outremer/a_votre_service/volontariat_civil___l_aide_technique_1045663353938/publi_P_vcat_remise_en_forme_1084201024219)
Stay safe
Stay healthy
Respect
Contact