Martinique : The Island of Your Dreams

by Victoria Jolncart

 

   

 

Martinique is a part of France located in the tropics. The capital, Fort-de-France, is a chic and modern city of 100 000 people, the largest in the French West Indies. With the effects of urbanization, most large towns look like suburbs. Nevertheless, nearly a third of Martinique is full of forests and other areas are given over to pineapple and banana plantations and sugar cane fields. You can still find fishing villages and remote beaches untouched by development and there are plenty of hiking trails into the mountains.

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENT

Martinique is a tiny island located in the Caribbean. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the south and west and by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east. Dominica is its northern neighbour and St Lucia is its southern neighbour in the chain of islands that forms the Lesser Antilles.

Roughly 65 km (40 miles) long and 20 km (12 miles) wide, the landscape of Martinique has mountains and hills. The highest point of 1397 m (4582 ft) is attained at the summit of Mont Pelée, a recently active volcano at the northern end of the island. The center of the island is dominated by the Pitons du Carbet, a scenic cluster of mountains peaking at 1207 m (3959 ft).

Martinique has many colourful plants and vegetation that varies with altitude and rainfall. Rainforest covers the slopes of the mountains in the northern area, which are luxuriant with tree ferns, bamboo groves, climbing vines and hardwood trees like mahogany, rosewood and locust.

 

 

WHEN TO VISIT MARTINIQUE?

  • Martinique has no shortage of warm, sunny weather with temperatures ranging between 21°C (70°F) and 28°C (83°F).

  • There are two different seasons: the wet season and the dry season. April is driest month, while the rainy season begins in September.

  • The best time to go to Martinique is in late winter and early spring.

 

 

THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND

The northern end of the island is the most mountainous and luxurious part of Martinique, offering everything from the peaks of Mont Pelée (below right), the Pitons du Carbet (below left) and Jacob Hill, to the many beautiful black-sand beaches (above).

 

 

 

THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND

 

The southern part of the island is very different from the northern part. The vegetation is much less dense and resembles a savannah. In many places cactus thrives. The highest point on the eastern coast is Vauclin Mountain (500 m) while the western coast gives way to plains and white-sand beaches.

 

THE CENTER OF THE ISLAND

Sheltering Lamentin International Airport, the centre of the island is dominated by Lamentin Plain, the largest of the island. This area has also developed into the economic hub of Martinique.

 

THE EAST COAST OF THE ISLAND

The east coast, or windward coast, is divided by the Caravelle Peninsular. South of this peninsular, the presence of many coral reefs make it the most attractive spot for diving and fishing. North of the peninsular, however, the Atlantic currents make swimming dangerous.

 

THE WEST COAST OF THE ISLAND

The west coast, or leeward coast, is protected from the wind and currents. The sea is very calm, there are no reefs and sailing is safe. Fort-de-France Bay is an industrial harbour, while Marin Bay, well protected from the ocean swell, hosts a large marina of sailing ships and catamarins.

 

 

 

As we say in Martinique:

Mwen ka souhaité zot bon vacances! (Have a great holiday!)

 

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