|RConstitution:|N Republic. A French Overseas department.
|RNature and climate:|N Situated between Dominica and St Lucia in the West Indies.
Vulcanic origin and mountainous. Highest peak the volcano Montagne Pelée 1 397 m.a.s.l, that in 1902 had a fierce eruption that killed 30 000 people.
26% of the island is forested.
Tropical climate with much rain. Many tropical hurricanes, frequent earthquakes and tidal floods.
|RPeople:|N 87% negroes that are descendants of imported slaves.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture is the most important industry. Main crops are bananas, sugarcanes and pineapples, as well as fruits, edable roots and vegetables.
Small industry for manufacturing the agricultural resources.
Main export products are bananas 47%, petroleum products 15% and rum 9%.
Fishing and forestry important industries as well as tourism.
|RHistory:|N Martinique was discovered by Columbus in 1493. It was then named Madinina by the natives. Martinique is a corruption of this name.
A French colony was established in 1635. It has remained in French possession since then, except brief periods of British occupation.
In 1946 the status was changed to an Overseas Department, and since 1974 it is an administrative region of its own.
In Martinique Napoleon's empress Josephine was born.
