MARTINIQUE

ONE OF THE LARGEST islands in the Lesser Antilles, Martinique is 50 miles (80 km) long and 22 miles (35 km) wide. The volcanic Mont Pelde in the north and Les Pitons du Carbet in the central section are the main peaks on this mountainous island.
It is easy to see why the Carib Indians once designated Martinique as the Isle of Flowers bougainvillea, hibiscus, anthuriums, bamboo and wild orchids deck the woodlands; forests with many varieties of flowering trees rim the hills. Plantation fields with crops containing bananas, pineapples, sugarcane and coffee can be found throughout this fertile island. Martinique’s tropical visage is scarred only by the ruins of St. Pierre, the result of an eruption of Mont Pelée in 1902.

Christopher Columbus sighted Martinique in 1493 but did not land until his fourth voyage in 1502. when he named the island after St. Martin of Tours. Arawak and Carib Indians called the island Madinina, the island of flowers. "Because of opposition from the Indians, no settlement took place until 1635. when the French made the island a center for sugar production. France and Britain battled for the island throughout the I 7th and I 8th centuries until France gained permanent control in 1814.

Like Guadeloupe Martinique is a department and region of France, represented in the French Parliament by two senators and four deputies. The Island is administered by elected general and regional councils as well as by a prefect, or governor. The seat of gouvernment is Fort-de-France.