Official Name: Departement de la Martinique

Area: Caribbean

Size: 1,077 km²

Coastline: 290 km

Independence: Overseas Department of France

Form of Govt.: Overseas Department of France

Head of Govt.: President

Capital: Fort de France

Largest City: Fort de France

Demographics (2005): 403,200.   324/ km²

GDP per Capita (2005): $15 063

Languages: The official language is French while a Creole dialect is widely spoken.

Geography: Martinique is an island located in the windward group of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It is situated between the islands of St. Lucia and Dominica and is of volcanic origin. Martinique is characterized by an indented coastline and a mountainous terrain which rises steeply from the sea. In the north the coastal cliffs are capped by a narrow dissected plain. Mt. Pelee is the country's highest point and is a dormant volcano.

Climate: Martinique has a tropical climate with relative humidity ranging from 77 to 85% all year. There is a wet season between July to November and the southern area of the island tends to be drier while December to May are generally the cooler and drier months. Average temperature ranges in Fort de France are from 21 to 29 degrees between January and March to 23 to 31 degrees between June and October.