Background: Colonized by France in 1635 the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 290 km

Maritime claims
Continental 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

Natural 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

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of France

Population: 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

Birth rate: 18 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years

Infant 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)

Literacy: over 70%

Country name: conventional long form: Department of Martinique

Government type: overseas department of France

Capital: Fort-de-France

Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)

Independence: 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

Suffrage: 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

International organization participation: WFTU

Diplomatic representation
In 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

Economy 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.

Agriculture products: bananas, pineapples, vegetables, flowers, sugarcane for rum

Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force:

Unemployment rate: 25-30% (1985)

Budget: revenues NA; expenditures $215 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1981)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $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)

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 6.2503 (January 1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 108,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 1,000 kWh per capita (1988)

Airports: 3 total; 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m