MARTINIQUE

The island has a surface area of 1,100 km sq. (426 mi sq.) and at its greatest length and width, it measures 70 km (43 miles) by 30 km (18 1/2 miles) respectively.

The land rises gradually from the coast to the centre and the north of the island. There stand the two peaks of the Carbet and Mont Pelée, the highest mountain on the island at 1,397 m (4,586 ft). This part of Martinique is also a legendary tropical rainforest. In the centre of the island, the Lamentin Plain, made up of small rounded hills and enclosed valleys, slopes down towards the south. The Salines Beach is the southernmost tip of the island.

Martinique is part of the Lesser Antilles or Windward Islands group. It is situated in the tropics. Its western shores are bathed by the Caribbean Sea and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean. The island is located 3,654 km (2,270 miles) from Montréal, 3,161 km (1965 miles) from New York, and 7,000 km (4,350 miles) from France. The closest two neighbouring islands are Dominica, to the north and Saint Lucia, to the south.

The Caravelle Peninsula in the Trinité region reaches into the Atlantic and has been made a natural park reserve. Along its regular coastline are a large number of very picturesque coves and bays.

Technical information