Martinique Travel Guide

Martinique — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Caribbean, northernmost of the Windward group of islands.
Language: The official language is French; a Creole patois is widely used.
Area: 1,100 sq km (424.7 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT - 4.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 390,000 (UN estimate 2003).
Population Density: 354.5 per sq km.
Capital City: Fort-de-France. Population: 93,000 (UN estimate 2003).
Government: Martinique is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic.
Head of Government: Claude Lise, President of the General Council since 1992.
Head of State: President Nicolas Sarkozy since 2007, represented locally by Prefect Yves Dassonville since 2004.
Religion: The majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Recent History

The prefect on Martinique represents France, and the island sends four representatives to the French National Assembly and two to the Senate. The 45-seat General Council and the 41-seat Regional Council administer the island’s local affairs; both are elected every six years.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +596. There are both payphones and card phones on the island. Télécartes (phonecards) are sold at post offices, newsagents and kiosks. There are only card phones at the airport.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage extends throughout the French Antilles and in French Guiana.

Internet

There are a few Internet cafes in Martinique, predominantly in the cities such as Fort de France and main tourist areas.

Media

TV and radio services are provided by the French public overseas broadcaster, RFO, and by private operators.

Post

Letters take about a week to reach Europe.Mon-Fri 0700-1800 and Saturday mornings.

Press

• Newspapers are in French and vary in their political bias.
• The main dailies are Carib Hebdo and France Antilles.
• Other newspapers are imported into Martinique, such as the Washington Post.

Radio

• RFO Martinique is a public station, operated by Réseau France Outre-Mer.
• Radio Caraibes International and NRJ Antilles are private stations.

Public Holidays

As for France (see France section), and below are listed additional Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
22 Apr Good Friday
22 May Slavery Abolition Day
21 Jul Schoelcher Day

2012
6 Apr Good Friday
22 May Slavery Abolition Day
21 Jul Schoelcher Day
* exact date tbc

Contact Information

Note

Martinique is an Overseas Department of the Republic of France and does not maintain overseas missions. Addresses of French embassies, consulates and tourist offices may be found in the France section.