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General Information
Area 1100 sq km (424.7 sq miles). Population 381,427 (1999). Population Density 346.8 per sq km. Capital Fort-de-France. Population: 93,000 (UN estimate 2001). Geography The French Overseas Department of Martinique, a volcanic and picturesque island, is the northernmost of the Windward Caribbean group. The island is noticeably more rocky than those of the Leeward group, with beaches (of fine black or white or peppered sand) surrounded by sugar, palm, banana and pineapple plantations. Christopher Columbus called it ‘the most beautiful country in the world’ and before he named it in honour of St Martin, it was called Madinina (‘island of flowers’) by the native population. Government Martinique is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by Prefect Michel Cadot since 2000. Head of Government: Claude Lise, President of the General Council since 1992. Language The official language is French; a Creole patois is widely used. Religion The majority of the population is Roman Catholic. Time GMT - 4. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 596. Outgoing international code: 19. There are both payphones and card phones on the island. Tlcartes (phonecards) are sold at post offices, newsagents and kiosks. There are only card phones at the airport. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800 networks in use. Roaming agreements in operation. Network providers include Bouygues Telecom Carabe and Orange Carabe (website: www.orange.gp). Coverage extends throughout the French Antilles and in French Guiana. Fax Available in most hotels. Internet Local ISPs include Net Antilles (website: www.antilles-net.com) and Wanadoo. Post Letters take about a week to reach Europe. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0700-1800 and Saturday mornings. Press Newspapers are in French and vary in their political bias. The main dailies are Carib Hedo and France Antilles. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
