Martinique Overview : Discover

Discover Martinique: Overview

• Surface area : 1 080 km2 (length 75 km ; width 35 km)
• Status : overseas department since the 19 March 1946.
• Prefectorial office : Fort-de-France (a total of 34 habitations).
• Biggest towns : Fort-de-France (94 049 inhab, 25 % of the population), Lamentin (35 460), Le Robert (21 240), Schœlcher (20 845), Sainte-Marie (20 098)
• Population : 381 427 inhabitants after the census of 1999 (359 572 en 1990) ; estimated 393 000 in 2004.
• Population density : 338 inhab./km² (1999, estimated 356 in 2004)
• Urban population : 42 %
• Life expectancy : 78,8 years (men) and 81,7 (women), in the year 2 000
• Official language : French
• Principal religion : Catholic
• GDP/inhab. : 14 283 € (year 2000)
• Total GDP : 5 496 million €
• Exports : 39 million euros (year 2002, cover of 14,1 %)
• Imports : 275 million euros (2002, deficit of 236 million euros)
• Principal suppliers : Metropolitan France, European Union, Latin America
• Unemployment rate : 23 % (year 2004, (without taking into account « non-declared » revenues). ; 26,3 % in 2000).

If your destination is a fine blend of sun, relaxation, exotic scenery and security, your holidays here will almost certainly be a success. Martinique is in the unique situation of possessing all above mentioned factors, which is a considerable asset to our days. There are practically no latent dangers to watch out for: no risk of coup d’etat (we are still in the EU…), no hazards due to capricious leaders, no sex tourism, and very little crime (except, of course, in a few areas to avoid).

When temperatures fall to under 20 ° C at night the story hits the news every time… Basically, Martinique is an excellent sunny destination, especially during Europe’s winter months. Average temperatures move around 27 °C, with peaks of 32 °C and descending only very rarely to below 20 °C. Surrounded by magnificent beaches, the island is a perfect place to idle around in the shade of a coconut tree. It is difficult to determine an “ideal period” to visit the island, which is not surprising taking into consideration the year-round sun, the 27°C average temperature and the absence of seasons. The only climatic phenomenon to really watch out for is the possibility of tropical storms, depression or hurricanes from the end of August to the end of October. Between mid December and mid June, temperatures are (normally) dryer and humidity is less enveloping. Transitory periods with better weather conditions are in June, July and August, although September and October are pleasant months for a “deserted island”-like holiday, as tourists tend to stay at home in this period for fear of hurricanes. Prices are much lower in the muggier periods from the end of April to mid December, so it’s your choice to take advantage of them.