{"id":5299,"date":"2020-06-21T04:01:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T04:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/?p=5299"},"modified":"2020-06-22T03:06:52","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T03:06:52","slug":"martinique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/martinique\/","title":{"rendered":"Martinique"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/h2>\n

Martinique is an insular region of France located in the Lesser Antilles<\/a> of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea<\/a>, with a land area of 1,128 square kilometers (436 sq mi) and a population of 376,480 inhabitants as of January 2016. Like Guadeloupe<\/a>, it is an overseas region (r\u00e9gion d’outre-mer) of France, consisting of a single overseas department. One of the Windward Islands<\/a>, it is directly north of Saint Lucia,<\/a> northwest of Barbados<\/a> and south of Dominica<\/a>. As one of the eighteen regions of France, Martinique is part of the European Union<\/a>, and its currency is the euro<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Martinique on the Globe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Virtually the entire population speaks both French, the official language, and Antillean Creole (Cr\u00e9ole Martiniquais<\/a>).<\/p>\n

History:<\/h2>\n

Pre-European Contact:<\/h3>\n

The island was occupied first by Arawaks<\/a>, then by Caribs<\/a>. The Carib people had migrated from the mainland to the islands about 1201 CE, according to carbon dating of artifacts.<\/p>\n

European Arrival and Early Colonial Period:<\/h3>\n

Martinique was charted by Columbus in 1493, but Spain had little interest in the territory. Christopher Columbus landed on 15 June 1502, after a 21-day trade wind passage, his fastest ocean voyage. He spent three days there refilling his water casks, bathing and washing laundry.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Columbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On 15 September 1635, Pierre Belain d’Esnambuc<\/a>, French governor of the island of St. Kitts<\/a>, landed in the harbour of St. Pierre<\/a> with 80-150 French settlers after being driven off St. Kitts by the English. D’Esnambuc claimed Martinique for the French King Louis XIII<\/a> and the French “Compagnie des \u00celes de l’Am\u00e9rique<\/a>” (Company of the American Islands), and established the first European settlement at Fort Saint-Pierre (now St. Pierre). D’Esnambuc died in 1636, leaving the company and Martinique in the hands of his nephew, Jacques Dyel du Parque<\/a>t, who in 1637, became governor of the island.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Jacques Dyel du Parquet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1636, in the first of many skirmishes, the indigenous Caribs rose against the settlers to drive them off the island. The French successfully repelled the natives and forced them to retreat to the eastern part of the island, on the Caravelle Peninsula in the region then known as the Capesterre. When the Carib revolted against French rule in 1658, the Governor Charles Hou\u00ebl du Petit Pr\u00e9<\/a> retaliated with war against them. Many were killed; those who survived were taken captive and expelled from the island. Some Carib had fled to Dominica or St. Vincent<\/a>, where the French agreed to leave them at peace.<\/p>\n

After the death of du Parquet his widow took over the running of the island, however dislike of her rule led King Louis XIV<\/a> to take over sovereignty of Martinique in 1658. Meanwhile, Dutch Jews, expelled from Portuguese Brazil<\/a>, introduced sugar to the island in 1654. Large numbers of slaves were imported from Africa to work these plantations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Louis XIV of France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1667 the Second Anglo-Dutch War<\/a> spilled out into the Caribbean, with Britain attacking<\/a> the pro-Dutch French fleet in Martinique, virtually destroying it and further cementing British pre-eminence in the region. In 1674 the Dutch attempted to conquer the island<\/a> but were repulsed.<\/p>\n

Post-1688 Period:<\/h3>\n

Under Governor of the Antilles Charles de Courbon, comte de Bl\u00e9nac<\/a>, Martinique served as a home port for French pirates including Captain Crapeau<\/a>, Etienne de Montauban<\/a>, and Mathurin Desmarestz<\/a>. In later years pirate Bartholomew Roberts<\/a> styled his jolly roger<\/a> as a black flag depicting a pirate standing on two skulls labeled “ABH” and “AMH” for “A Barbadian’s Head” and “A Martinican’s Head”, after governors of those two islands sent warships to capture Roberts.<\/p>\n

Martinique was attacked or occupied several times by the British, including in 1693, 1759<\/a>, 1762<\/a> and 1779<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Capture of Martinique, 11 February 1762<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Excepting a period from 1802 to 1809 following signing of the Treaty of Amiens, Britain controlled the island for most of the time from 1794 to 1815, when it was traded back to France at the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars. Martinique has remained a French possession since then.<\/p>\n

Despite the introduction of successful coffee plantations in the 1720s, with Martinique being the first area in the Western hemisphere where coffee was introduced, as sugar prices declined in the early 1800s, the planter class lost political influence. Slave rebellions in 1789, 1815 and 1822, plus the campaigns of abolitionists such as Cyrille Bissette<\/a> and Victor Schoelcher<\/a>, persuaded the French government to end slavery in the French West Indies in 1848.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Victor Sch\u0153lcher<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a result, some plantation owners imported workers from India and China. Despite the abolition of slavery life scarcely improved for most Martinicans; class and racial tensions exploded into rioting in southern Martinique in 1870 following the arrest of L\u00e9opold Lubin, a black trader who retaliated after he was beaten by a Frenchman. After several deaths the revolt was crushed by French militia.<\/p>\n

20th\u201321st Centuries:<\/h3>\n

On 8 May 1902, Mont Pel\u00e9e<\/a> erupted and completely destroyed St. Pierre, killing 30,000 people. Due to the eruption refugees from Martinique arrived in boats to the southern villages of Dominica with some remaining permanently on the island. In Martinique the only survivor in the town of Saint-Pierre, Auguste Cyparis<\/a>, was saved by the thick walls of his prison cell. Shortly thereafter the capital shifted to Fort-de-France<\/a>, where it remains today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mont Pelee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During WWII<\/a>, the pro-Nazi Vichy<\/a> government controlled Martinique under Admiral Georges Robert. German U-boats<\/a> used Martinique for refueling and re-supply during the Battle of the Caribbean<\/a>. In 1942, 182 ships were sunk in the Caribbean, dropping to 45 in 1943, and five in 1944. Free French<\/a> forces took over on the island on Bastille Day, 14 July 1943.<\/p>\n

In 1946 the French National Assembly<\/a> voted unanimously to transform the colony into an Overseas Department of France. Meanwhile, the post-war period saw a growing campaign for full independence; a notable proponent of this was the author Aim\u00e9 C\u00e9saire<\/a>, who founded the Progressive Party of Martinique in the 1950s.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Aim\u00e9 C\u00e9saire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tensions boiled over in December 1959 when riots broke out following a racially-charged altercation between two motorists, resulting in three deaths. In 1962, as a result of this and the global turn against colonialism, the strongly pro-independence OJAM (Organisation de la jeunesse anticolonialiste de le Martinque) was formed. Its leaders were later arrested by the French authorities, however they were later acquitted. Tensions rose again in 1974, when gendarmes shot dead two striking banana workers. However the independence movement lost steam as Martinique’s economy faltered in the 1970s, resulting in large scale emigration. Hurricanes in 1979-80 severely affected agricultural output, further straining the economy. Greater autonomy was granted by France to the island in the 1970s-80s.<\/p>\n

In 2009 Martinique was convulsed by the French Caribbean general strikes<\/a>. Initially focusing on cost-of-living issues, the movement soon took on a racial dimension as strikers challenged the continued economic dominance of the B\u00e9k\u00e9, descendants of French European settlers. President Nicolas Sarkozy<\/a> later visited the island, promising reform.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nicolas Sarkozy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While ruling out full independence, which he said was desired neither by France nor by Martinique, Sarkozy offered Martiniquans a referendum on the island’s future status and degree of autonomy.<\/p>\n

Geography:<\/h2>\n

Part of the archipelago of the Antilles<\/a>, Martinique is located in the Caribbean Sea about 450 km (280 mi) northeast of the coast of South America<\/a> and about 700 km (435 mi) southeast of the Dominican Republic<\/a>. It is directly north of St. Lucia, northwest of Barbados and south of Dominica.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lesser Antilles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The total area of Martinique is 1,128 square kilometres (436 sq mi), of which 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi) is water and the rest land. Martinique is the 3rd largest island in The Lesser Antilles after Trinidad<\/a> and Guadeloupe<\/a>. It stretches 70 km (43 mi) in length and 30 km (19 mi) in width. The highest point is the volcano of Mount Pel\u00e9e at 1,397 metres (4,583 ft) above sea level. There are numerous small islands, particularly off the east coast.<\/p>\n

The north of the island is especially mountainous. It features four ensembles of pitons (volcanoes) and mornes (mountains): the Piton Conil on the extreme North, which dominates the Dominica Channel<\/a>; Mont Pel\u00e9e, an active volcano; the Morne Jacob; and the Pitons du Carbet<\/a>, an ensemble of five extinct volcanoes covered with rainforest and dominating the Bay of Fort de France at 1,196 metres (3,924 ft). Mont Pel\u00e9e’s volcanic ash has created grey and black sand beaches in the north (in particular between Anse Ceron and Anse des Gallets), contrasting markedly from the white sands of Les Salines in the south.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Topographic Map of Martinique<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The south is more easily traversed, though it still features some impressive geographic features. Because it is easier to travel to, and due to the many beaches and food facilities throughout this region, the south receives the bulk of the tourist traffic. The beaches from Pointe de Bout, through Diamant (which features right off the coast of Roche de Diamant), St. Luce, the department of St. Anne and down to Les Salines are popular.<\/p>\n

Economy:<\/h2>\n

Martinique’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, limited agricultural production, and grant aid from mainland France.<\/p>\n

Historically, Martinique’s economy relied on agriculture, notably sugar and bananas, 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. The bulk of meat, vegetable and grain requirements must be imported. This contributes to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from mainland France.<\/p>\n

Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. Most visitors come from mainland France, Canada and the USA. Roughly 16% of the total businesses on the island (some 6,000 companies) provide tourist-related services.<\/p>\n

Transportation:<\/h2>\n

Martinique’s main and only airport with commercial flights is Martinique Aim\u00e9 C\u00e9saire International Airport.<\/a> It serves flights to and from Europe, the Caribbean, Venezuela, the United States, and Canada.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Martinique Aim\u00e9 C\u00e9saire International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fort-de-France is the major harbour. The island has regular ferry service to Guadeloupe, Dominica and St. Lucia. There are also several local ferry companies that connect Fort-de-France with Pointe du Bout.<\/p>\n

The road network is extensive and well-maintained, with freeways in the area around Fort-de-France.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Map of Martinique<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Buses run frequently between the capital and St. Pierre.<\/p>\n

Flag of Martinique:<\/h2>\n

Martinique has no flag with official status other than the French national flag.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Flag of France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The unofficial “snake flag” (drapeau aux serpents) features a white cross on a blue field with a white snake in each quarter. These are fer-de-lance vipers (Bothrops lanceolatus<\/a>, French trigonoc\u00e9phale) native to Martinique. It was used by the French military on their buildings and\/or uniforms. Members of the National Gendarmerie<\/a> bore the coat-of-arms version of the flag. It stood next to the French flag on some public buildings of the island\u2014such as the prefecture and the police station of Fort-de-France.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Unofficial Snake Flag of Martinique<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This symbol dates from an edict issued 4 August 1766, specifying that vessels of the French colony of Martinique and Saint Lucia<\/a> should fly a version of the French ensign<\/a>, which at the time was a white cross on a blue field, with L-shaped (for Lucia) snakes in each quarter of the cross. The same design is used for the lesser coat of arms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The unofficial “snake flag” (drapeau aux serpents) features a white cross on a blue field with a white snake in each quarter. These are fer-de-lance vipers (Bothrops lanceolatus, French trigonoc\u00e9phale) native to Martinique. It was used by the French military on their buildings and\/or uniforms. Members of the National Gendarmerie bore the coat-of-arms version of the flag. It stood next to the French flag on some public buildings of the island\u2014such as the prefecture and the police station of Fort-de-France.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[32,59,26,5,27,11,6,7,29,41,20,60],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5299"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5299\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}