- Columbus first discovered Martinique in 1493, but did not land there until 1502.
- Columbus named the island Martinique, but it was also known as “Jouanacaera,” the island of iguanas.
- First inhabitants of the island were the Arawaks, followed by the Caribs and then the Tainos.
- The island is located in the Lesser Antilles between Dominica and St. Lucia.
- Martinique was claimed by France in 1635, but France and Britain fought over it until 1815.
- Martinique is considered an overseas Department but also a Region of France.
- Slavery was abolished in 1848.
- The island is 425 square miles (50 miles long and 22 miles wide) which is just a little smaller than New York City.
- The capital city is Fort-de-France.
- Currency is the Euro.
- The two main languages spoken on the island are: French and Creole.
- Martinique has more than 400,000 residents.
- The average temperature is about 79 degrees year round.
- It is the birth place of famous poet Aimé Cesaire and Empress Josephine.
- Industries on the island include sugar cane, avocados, vegetables, bananas, pineapples, rum oil refining, and tourism.
- Martinique exports oil, bananas, rum, and pineapples.
- Martinique is the rum capital of the world and is home to 12 different brands of rum.
- The island has a 97% literacy rate.
- The dance style Zouk originated in Martinique.
- The highest point on the island is the volcano Mt. Pelee which last erupted in 1902.
- Residents of Martinique are referred to as Martiniquais.