Martinique Geography Profile 2006

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates

14 40 N, 61 00 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total: 1,100 sq km
land: 1,060 sq km
water: 40 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

350 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid

Terrain

mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m

Natural resources

coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land

Land use

arable land: 9.09%
permanent crops: 10%
other: 80.91% (2005)

Irrigated land

70 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards

hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)

Environment - current issues

NA

Geography - note

the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000 inhabitants