Martinique: Geography
Departement de la Martinique

Location:

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 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:

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 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:  8% permanent crops:  8% permanent pastures:  17% forests and woodland:  44% other:  23% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

40 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:

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

Environment - current issues:

NA

Source: CIA World Factbook 2001
(In general, information available as of 1 January 2001 was used in the preparation of this edition.)

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