Martinique

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More Martinique
tips & insights

Empress Josephine

Napoleon's first wife, Empress Josephine, was born in Martinique (though the neighboring island St Lucia claims Josephine was born on its island).

Culture

Martinique is an overseas department of France and is devoted to the latter's style in dress and cuisine.

Flowers

Martinique is renowned for its flowers. Its "Isle of Flowers" nickname was even used by pre-Columbian Indians. You'll see blooming hibiscus, bougainvillea, and other flowering trees nearly everywhere.

Martinique's interior

The mountains of the volcanic Martinique island are picturesquely rugged and blanketed with rainforests.

Language

French and Creole are widely spoken, English isn't.

Island statistics

Martinique is 81 kilometers (50 miles) in length and 34 kilometers (22 miles) at its widest point. It has about 400,000 residents and roughly the same number of tourists (most come from France).