The climate is tropical as in the Caribbean islands but Martinique is divided into two different areas. South is dry and north is greener with rain forest and mountains. The weather is hot and sunny with as “colder” and rainier season from June to September.

French is the official language but islanders often use the local Créole among themselves. English is typically spoken only in the larger hotels and tourist areas.

The franc was the currency of Martinique until 2002. It was subdivided into 100 centimes. The French franc circulated, alongside banknotes issued specifically for Martinique between 1855 and 1961 and notes issued for Martinique, French Guiana and Guadeloupe (collectively referred to as the French Antilles) between 1961 and 1975.

http://www.martinique.visahq.com

The estimated population of Martinique is today of 436.000 inhabitants, for an average density of 228 inhabitants by Km² (in 2006). Composed primarily of blacks or half-caste (nearly 80 %), originating from Africa, coming from the guinean coasts for the needs of the sugar cane culture during the XVIIth and XVIIIth century.

Fort-de-France is the capital of France's Caribbean overseas department of
Martinique. It is also one of the major cities in the Caribbean.

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