Discover Martinique
Where is Martinique located?
Martinique is a small island located in the Caribbean archipelago near the American continent. Dominica is to its north and the island of Saint Lucia to the south. Its exact geographical coordinates are 14.38°N and 61.2° 2W. Martinique has about 350,400 inhabitants and 1,105 square kilometers (427 sq. mi.).
Martinique has been French since 1635 and a French department since 1946. Two languages are spoken: French and Creole, a local language inherited from the slave period. The currency is the euro.
Are you ready for Martinique?
The average temperature is 28°C (82F) all year round. There are only two seasons in Martinique: the hot season and the rainy season. Martinique is on the -4h time zone compared to GMT. There is no daylight saving time.
Martinique is located 6,845 km (4,253 mi) from Paris, about 8 hours by plane. 189 km (117 mi) separate it from Guadeloupe (the other main French territory in the Caribbean) but it is only 40 minutes by plane. If we want to compare it to Miami, it's a 3-hour flight for a distance of 2,345 km (1, 457 mi). For New York it is 3,158 km (1,962 mi) and 4h20 of flight on average.
The inevitable of the day
The beach of the day
Grande Anse beach of Anse d'Arlet is one of the largest beaches in Martinique. It is also a very quiet beach sheltered from the waves. It is very sunny afternoon and a little windy.The water is very…
The place to visit of the day
The "Tombolo" is a broad band of sand formed by ocean currents that connects Sainte-Marie islet to the town on foot. Beware though, it is only during Lent, the warm season (December to April) that it…
Do not miss it!
Rum St.James was born in Saint-Pierre-de-la-Martinique in 1765. In the greatest secrecy, Reverend Father Edmond Lefebure, superior of the convent of the Frères de la Charité (Brothers…
Selection of Martinican proverbs
Born in the first half of the 17th century, the Creole language is a mosaic of an extraordinary richness. Native American legacies were supplemented by the dialects of French colonists, Blacks from West Africa, and later "Coolies" from India and China.
Fruits and vegetables of Martinique
Martinique is full of fruits, spices and vegetables that have, over the years, fully integrated the island's cuisine.
Bananas, coconuts, mangoes, pineapples, guavas and other passion fruits are used to make juices, ice creams and sorbets, cakes and many other desserts.
For you, AZ Martinique has traced their history on the island, their health benefits and their local use.
Martinique from A to Z
Main topics to learn more about Martinique and its neighborhood.