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Martinique is aproximately
4.400 miles from France 2000miles from New-York city,280 miles from
south américan coast.It is bordered to the east by the Atlantic océan
and to the west by the caribbean sea.The island is 47 miles long ,22
miles across with 350 Km of coastlines.Its surface area is 420 square
miles.
This may sound realy small...
However you'll be surprised to discover the variations of this
landscapes, at very short distances.
Amerindians
The first civilizations are said to date back 5000 BC but the debate is
still open and, according to some, the arrival of Amerindians wouldnt
have been until the beginning of the Christian era. The Arawaks would
have been the first to come and settle in Martinique. Then, between the
6th and the 11th century, depending on the sources, they would gradually
have been exterminated by the Caribbean Indians, who were warriors and
skilled navigators.
Colonization
Amerindians were the first to suffer from consequences of colonization
as they were the first victims of slavery in the 15th century. Little by
little, the organization of society entailed a greater need of manpower
: this characterized the second slavery period and the establishment of
the slave trade. Triangular trade thrived in the 18th century as freedom
of slave trade was granted to private companies. It is estimated that 2
million slaves were
sent from Africa to the West Indies.
Liberation
Intellectuals from the 17th century denounced slavery. Victor Schoelcher
was a leading figure and obtained its abolishment in 1848. But as Black
slaves were freed they were replaced by Indians who then provided the
labor and had to cope with very hard working conditions.
In an economy primarily based on sugar production, freedom was then due
to the market evolution which allowed a real change of the social
organization and improvement of working conditions.
Martinique
in the XXth century
The beginning of the century was affected by the eruption of Mount Pelée
in 1902. It destroyed St Pierre, the economic and intellectual centre of
Martinique, hence the sudden stop of development on the island until the
period of reconstruction. The second half of the XXth century was
difficult for the cane industry, and made economic diversification
inevitable, especially concerning tourism.
Finally, the island became an Overseas Department (DOM) in 1946, and, in
1958 by referendum the inhabitants chose to remain attached to France.
In
1974, Martinique became a region, as well as a DOM.
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