Trivia in Martinique

Learn fascinating facts and trivia about this country

Americas / Caribbean

National symbols

Flag: Blue field with white caravel and four snakes, along with the French tricolor flag

Martinique Flag

Emblem: Emblem combining Caribbean Sea and island silhouette, yole boat, and four snakes

Martinique Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • Columbus praised the island as "Island of Flowers (Madinina)"
  • Martinique's Rhum Agricole was the world's first AOC-certified rum
  • Mount Pelée is still active with 24-hour volcanic monitoring
  • Napoleon's Empress Joséphine was born in Trois-Îlets village in the south
  • On January 6th Epiphany, many families serve local-style coco cake instead of Catholic galette des rois
  • Department number "972" is used on license plates and postal codes
  • Island voltage is 230V/50Hz, same as mainland France
  • Direct flights from Paris take about 8 hours, making it the shortest Caribbean resort from Europe
  • English is used in tourism but French is basic for public institutions
  • Martinique coasts are sea turtle nesting sites with access restrictions during protection periods

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