Welcome to the beautiful Island of Martinique. Martinique is part of the Windward Islands group, located to the west is the Caribbean Sea and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean. It lies 1,965 miles from New York and neighboring islands are St. Lucia to the south and Dominica to the North. Approximately 360,000 natives populate the island, with a multi- raced population due to the different people who first settled there. The different ethnic groups married together and created the mixed society that exists today. This island’s capital is Fort de France. The climate there is quite mild and temperatures rarely climb beyond 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The “alizes”, breezes, blow from the northeast bringing in fresh and cool air. Also known as the “Island of Flowers” Martinique lends itself to a vast array of natural fauna, such as coconuts, giant bamboos, royal palms, traveler’s trees and bengali roses, just to mention some of the more popular varieties.

LANGUAGE
The spoken language in Martinique is French, but the vast majority speak local Creole which is a mixture of Spanish, French and English. The only well understood language of these is English.

FOOD
If you are a lover of fish, crayfish and crabs then Martinique is the place for you. The Creole food includes a variety of dishes and tastes. Island specialties include stuffed crab, stewed conch, roast wild goat, jugged rabbit and broiled local dove. Colombo is a dish of goat, chicken, pork or lamb in a thick curry sauce. Creole cuisine is also widely available and is an original combination of French, Indian and African traditions seasoned with exotic spices.

MUSIC
Martinique has developed its own form of music known as the biguine. The biguine (or beguine), an Afro-French dance music with a bolero rhythm, originated in Martinique in the 1930s. A more contemporary French West Indies creation, zouk, draws on the biguine and other French Caribbean folk forms. With its Carnival-like rhythm and hot dance beat, zouk has become very popular in Europe as it is in the French Caribbean.

FESTIVAL
Martinique’s biggest festival is their “Carnival” celebration, which envelops the island. All business comes to a halt. Streets spill over with parties and parades, and a “Carnival Queen” is elected. Dimanche Gras, or Fat Sunday, features bands in the streets singing and dancing, and revelers costumed as “red devils” parade around La Savane in Fort-de-France on Mardi Gras. And as in all the French West Indies, there’s a full extra day of merrymaking to bury King Carnival on Ash Wednesday, when black-and-white costumed parade goers from King Carnival’s final procession; a funeral pyre is built, rum flows freely, the streets are filled with dancers, and King Carnival is buried at dusk. The festivities resume on Mi-Careme, a daylong respite from fasting during the
Lenten period.

The island of Martinique has brought forth an array of true tropical beauty. Its historic layout has captured the essence of its natural structure, and vibrant setting. From beautiful beaches to mouth watering cuisines, lush rainforests, vast banana trees and sugarcane plantations; Martinique is a delightful place to visit at anytime of the year. Especially if you just want to kick back and relax, you’re sure to leave this island feeling more refreshed and brand new.

By Melissa Hunte