Martinique

Abstract

Martinique is an island located at the northern end of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. One of the larger islands of the Lesser Antilles, Martinique, is unique because of its location near the convergence of two volcanic arcs on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Plate. The two volcanic arcs cross Martinique on close to parallel paths that run south to northwest. The arc associated with the Volcanic Caribbees is a few miles west of the arc connected to the Limestone Caribbees. Martinique’s location has influenced not only its geologic past, but also its anthropological past and present. The shaping of the history of the island is a series of interactions between the geology of the island including specific geological events, its climate including specific weather events, and the social interactions of people native to the Americas, Europeans, Africans, South Asians, and East Asians. Approximately, 380,000 people call Martinique home. Still, the island is a tourism destination primarily for Europeans staying for a few days and cruise boat passengers staying for a few hours. However, tourism officials in Martinique are trying to diversify the origins of tourists vacationing in the islands. Located in a portion of the Caribbean susceptible to hurricanes, with a volcano that is still active, together with labor issues, Martinique faces challenges as it continues into the twenty-first century.