Martinique

Martinique is a French Caribbean island governed by a single territorial authority. Its administrative capital is Fort-de-France.

Find Martinique

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Fort-de-France
Languages: French & Martinican Creole
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 358,8181 January 2026 · INSEE · provisional estimate
Area: 1,128 km²435.52 square miles
Single authority: 2015An overseas department since 1946; part of France.

Martinique in context

North America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Fort-de-France; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

A volcanic island with mountainous northern areas, including Mount Pelée, and lower hills and coastal plains toward the south.

Languages

French is official. Martinican Creole is widely spoken.

Location

In the eastern Caribbean, between Dominica and Saint Lucia.

Flag

The French tricolor has three vertical bands of blue, white and red. It is the national flag used in Martinique; this page follows the national flag shown in the card set.

Sources: IEDOM · Martinique economy · INSEE · population estimates

History & status

Indigenous Caribbean communities preceded French colonization in 1635. Slavery was abolished in 1848, and Martinique became an overseas department of France in 1946. The 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée destroyed Saint-Pierre. In 2015 a single territorial authority replaced the separate regional and departmental councils.

1848
Slavery is abolished
1902
Mount Pelée destroys Saint-Pierre
1946
Martinique becomes an overseas department
2015
A single territorial authority is established

Sources: IEDOM · Martinique economy · INSEE · population estimates

Economy

Main activities

Services, public administration, commerce and tourism account for much activity. Bananas, sugarcane and rum are important products, while manufacturing and construction provide additional employment. The economy is closely linked to mainland France and depends on many imports.

Industry and production

Banana production, rum distilling, food processing, construction and tourism complement the service economy.

Sources: IEDOM · Martinique economy · INSEE · population estimates

Population

358,818 · 1 January 2026 · INSEE · provisional estimate

Sources: IEDOM · Martinique economy · INSEE · population estimates

Government

A single territorial authority within France, combining departmental and regional responsibilities. An elected Assembly and an Executive Council govern locally. A Prefect represents the French state, and residents elect representatives to the French Parliament.

Sources: IEDOM · Martinique economy · INSEE · population estimates

Knowledge check

Three questions about Martinique.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which volcano destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902?

Sources & notes

Sources: IEDOM · Martinique economy · INSEE · population estimates

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.