Martinique is an island in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. A part of the French West Indies (Antilles), Martinique is an overseas department and region and a single territorial collectivity of the French Republic. It is a part of the European Union as an outermost region within the special territories of members of the European Economic Area, and an associate member of the CARICOM, but is not part of the Schengen Area or the European Union Customs Union. The currency in use is the euro.
The Cape Saint Martin cliffs and the Dominica channel, as seen from Grand Rivière at the northern tip of the island
The attack on the French ships at Martinique in 1667
The Battle of Martinique between British and French fleets in 1779
Mont Pelée and Bay of St Pierre as seen from the Grande Savane trail
Antillean Creole is a French-based creole that is primarily spoken in the Lesser Antilles. Its grammar and vocabulary include elements of French, Carib, English, and African languages.
Sign in Martinican Creole: Dlo Koko ("coconut water", from French de l'eau de coco) Soley ("Sun", from soleil) Lanmè ("the sea", from la mer)
Welcome sign in Martinican Creole: Kontan wè zot, "Happy to see you" (from the French words content, voir, vous-autres).
Creole sign in Guadeloupe reading Ti boutik-la ouvè kòté Lari Bryon ("Entrance to the little shop at rue Brion"). Postposition of the definite article (boutik-la instead of la boutique) is evident.
Road sign in residential area in Guadeloupe. Slow down. Children are playing here.
