Statistical information Martinique 1989

Martinique in the World
top of pageBackground: Colonized by France in 1635 the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.
top of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 290 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October)
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
ElevationNatural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use: 10% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 30% meadows and pastures; 26% forest and woodland; 26% other; includes 5% irrigated
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of France
top of pagePopulation: 331,511 (July 1989), growth rate 0.4% (1989)
Nationality: noun - Martiniquais (sing. and pl.; adjective - Martiniquais
Ethnic groups: 90% African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture, 5% Caucasian, less than 5% East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese
Languages: French, Creole patois
Religions: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Hindu and pagan African
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rate: 18 births/1000 population (1989)
Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1989)
Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1000 population (1989)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1000 live births (1989)
Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1989)
Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1989)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: over 70%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry name: conventional long form: Department of Martinique
Government type: overseas department of France
Capital: Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system; highest local court is a court of appeal based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: universal over age 18
Executive branch: Chief of State - President Francois Maurice MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981; Head of Government - Commissioner of the Republic Jean JOUANDET (since NA 1987)
Legislative branch: executive - prefect appointed by Paris; legislative - popularly elected General Council of 36 members and a Regional Council, including all members of the Council and the locally elected deputies and senators to the French parliament; judicial - under jurisdiction of French judicial system
Judicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participation: WFTU
Diplomatic representationIn the us: as an overseas department of France, Martiniquais interests are represented in the US by France; US - Consul General Mary Dell PALAZZOLO; Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac, Fort-de-France (mailing address is B. P. 561, Fort-de-France; telephone Õ596å 63-13-03
Flag description
: the flag of France is used
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 7% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, however, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. In 1984 the annual per capita income was relatively high at $3,650. During 1985 the unemployment rate was between 25% and 30% and was particularly severe among younger workers.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capitaGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: bananas, pineapples, vegetables, flowers, sugarcane for rum
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force:
100,000; 31.7% service industry, 29.4% construction and public works, 13.1% agriculture, 7.3%
industry, 2.2% fisheries, 16.3% other
Unemployment rate: 25-30% (1985)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues NA; expenditures $215 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1981)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $145 million (f.o.b., 1985)
Commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
Partners: France 54%, Guadeloupe 36% (1984)
Imports: $683 million (c.i.f., 1985)
Commodities: petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
Partners: France 54% (1984)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 6.2503 (January 1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 108,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 1,000 kWh per capita (1988)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 3 total; 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs