Today's Flag - Martinique 2

Today’s Flag – Martinique

Today's Flag - Martinique 3
Martinique Map

It is directly north of St. Lucia, northwest of Barbados, southeast of both Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic and south of Dominica.

The island is volcanic in origin.  Martinique has eight different centers of volcanic activity.

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Mont Pelee

Mont Pelee the island’s most dramatic feature, formed about 400,000 years ago.  Pelée erupted in 1792, 1851, and twice in 1902.

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Tropical Forest in Martinique

In 2003, Martinique had a total GDP of 5.496 billion euros.  In that year services constituted 82.2% of GDP, while industry represented 8.6% and agriculture 3.5%.  Historically, Martinique’s economy relied on agriculture, but by the beginning of the 21st century this sector had dwindled considerably.  Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to mainland France.

As is true of essentially all of the constituent parts of Overseas France, there is a massive trade imbalance between imports of food and other manufactured goods and the value of exports, an imbalance which requires significant infusions of cash from metropolitan France.

Martinique has air service to most of the surrounding islands and nations as well as connections to France and parts of North America, which most service to the United States going through Puerto Rico, although Air France

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Air France Jet

does service the island through an island-hopper service that also serves Guadeloupe,

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Map of Guadeloupe

and ultimately, French Guiana,

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Northern South America

from Miami, Florida.

Martinique is relatively unknown to the travelling American public but perhaps this will change over time as the charms and beauty of Martinique, so close and yet seemingly so far away, become better known.

The unofficial flag of Martinique has a rich and long history.  The flag first appeared in August of 1766.  The flag was required on French vessels originating in Martinique and resembles some of the military insignia of France.  The snakes depict the highly venomous fer-de-lance snake which is native to Martinique.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief introduction to the island of Martinique.  Our next destination is just about as far from Martinique as one can get although it is also an island.  Stay tuned for more fun and informative information about flags of the world.

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