The first name of the island is Madinina, which can be translated as “the island of flowers”. This picturesque island is famous for its magnificent nature, beautiful beaches and, of course, interesting sights.
Start your exploration of the island and its places of interest with a visit to its capital, the city of Fort-de-France. Here travellers should not forget to visit La Savane Park, which is located in the centre of the city. The park is decorated with beautiful palm trees and fountains, and its southern side is the location of ancient Saint Louis Fort. The fort was built in 1640; at that time it was the main protective facility of Martinique, which was saving the island from the pirates. Park Florale is a no less beautiful place. In this park eucalyptus groves are mixed with rows of tall palm trees. There are several markets in the territory of the park, where visitors can buy fresh seafood, souvenirs and crafts made by locals. Besides nature attractions, travellers are recommended to visit the main cultural facilities of the capital – the Museum of Archaeology, Schoelcher Library and the Regional Museum of History and Ethnography.
Saint Marie is another popular destination in Martinique. The town is mostly famous for top quality rum that is produced there. First rum was made in the town yet in 1660. Nowadays, the oldest rum manufacture of the island, Saint James Plantation, has been turned into a museum, where visitors can see how the rum is made and try different sorts of it in a special degustation room. Le Salines is another important excursion point on the island. The southern part of the town is the location of a very beautiful place – Etang de Salines Lake – and beaches that are often called the best in the country. Best hotels, restaurants and entertainment centres are located in that region.
History and Entertainment
Just like many other islands of the Caribbean Sea, Martinique was populated by the Caribbean Indian tribes in the pre-colonial period. The European discoverer of the island was Christopher Columbus who boarded it in 1502. Spanish colonizers hoped for finding large gold deposits on the island. When they did not succeed, they decided to become familiar with the island. For over a hundred years, European colonizers had not been interested in it. In 1635, Martinique was first visited by Frenchmen. They were attracted by fertile lands. At the early stage of the colonization, Frenchmen formed the fort of St. Pierre.
The island officially became a French colony in 1664. Despite the fact that the Caribs resisted European colonizers, they were almost slain by 1660. On the island, Frenchmen formed plantations where slaves transferred from African countries worked. Approximately, by the 18th century, almost 15 000 slaves constantly worked on the island. They processed coffee and sugar cane plantations.
At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, Martinique started attracting Britons who repeatedly tried to bring back a right to possess the island. At the beginning of the 19th century, the first liberation movements that became even more serious after the abolition of slavery were established on the island. In 1946, Martinique gained a right of the partial self-government. Thus far, it has been a French Overseas Department,
Now, the island lives a rich cultural life. During the year, a lot of interesting holidays and carnivals are held here. The most spectacular event for tourists is an annual festival held in Fort-de-France. It always goes hand in hand with beautiful festive parades and performances of music and dance groups.
The island will certainly impress gourmets too, as they will have an opportunity to taste many rare seafood delicacies. Local anglers catch crabs, different fish species, shells, and squids. Exactly seafood is a main component of the national cuisine. Tourists also like visiting local fish markets. They are opened early in the morning directly at the seacoast. Fresh fish is unloaded from fishing boats and actively bought by local residents and owners of restaurants, in particular.
