David, F8AAN is currently active as FM/F8AAN from Martinique Island, IOTA NA - 107.
He will operate on 40 - 10m, CW only.
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DAVID ALBERT, 13 Chemin Pey Broustera, 33340, GAILLAN MEDOC, France.
Martinique - a small piece of European civilization in the middle of the Caribbean
Martinique is a small island of 70 by 20 kilometers in the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea on the southwestern edge of the Atlantic. It was once part of numerous French colonies scattered throughout the southern hemisphere, and now has the status of an overseas department of France with its General Council and regional prefect at its head. Many things here are like those of the European French, especially on the Côte d'Azur - the same roads, similar architecture, and the euro.
Accidentally discovered and forgotten for 130 years
The land was discovered by Columbus in 1502, but, failing to find a gold reserve, he and his expedition traveled onward. The existence of the island was forgotten for almost a century and a half. The real colonization of Martinique began only in 1635, when the first settlers from the Old World founded here Fort Saint-Pierre. Originally belonging to a private trading company, the island was bought by France and turned into a crown colony. Gradually, negro slaves were brought here, whose descendants, together with mulattoes, make up 95% of today's islanders.
Martinique Island. Author - Aloïs Bridenne.
A hot and rainy island with a fire-breathing volcano
Martinique has a tropical climate with an average annual temperature of up to 27 degrees Celsius, like everywhere closer to the equator, with trade winds prevailing. The rainy season lasts from mid-summer to late fall and is often accompanied by natural disasters caused by typhoons. That is why the French and the rest of the world like to come here in winter or spring and try to leave Martinique before July.
The landscape is typical of volcanic islands. Upland slopes covered with jungle smoothly pass into plains. There are not many rainforests left here in their virgin form. They are mostly found only on the mountain slopes. The animal world is rather poor, although a few centuries ago Martinique was swarming with lizards mixed with snakes. But enterprising plantation owners brought mongooses to the island. They multiplied so much that when they ran out of reptiles, the mongooses began to devour birds' eggs. As a result, many species of birds have disappeared from the area and the fauna has thinned considerably.
In the north, there is an infamous natural landmark, the active volcano Mont Pelee (literally translated as “Bald Mountain”). The last eruption, which shocked the whole world, occurred in 1902. As a result, the town of St. Pierre, located at the foot of the volcano, was completely destroyed with almost all 30 thousand inhabitants. A hot cloud of ash and gas covered the once verdant St. Pierre, destroying the buildings to the ground.
Only two people survived the tragedy. One of them was a prisoner of the local prison, who was in the prison catacombs at the time of the disaster. The second survivor was a shoemaker who was saved only by the fact that he lived on the very outskirts of the city. In spite of numerous burns, the lucky survivor was pulled out of the wreckage alive and lived for more than 3 decades. Of all the ships anchored in the port of St. Pierre, only one steamship survived, which managed to leave the bay in time and get away.
Martinique Island. Author - François Hill.
Martinique does not survive on tourism alone
While many islands in the Lesser Antilles survive on tourism alone, the same cannot be said for Martinique. The inhabitants of the island earn their living by farming, producing sugar from cane and producing three varieties of classic rum. In addition, there is an oil refinery that processes imported crude oil.
There is also a technologically advanced power plant. The quality of the roads will also say a lot about prosperity. They are wide, usually 2-3 lanes, with interchanges at different levels. Now the road traffic system is undergoing a stage of major reconstruction. Specially designated bus lanes are being built along the main highways, located in the middle of the roadway.
Fort-de-France, or Paris in a smaller form
The capital of Martinique is the port city of Fort-de-France. The locals call it no other than a little Paris. And indeed, the similarity noticed by the people is obvious, especially with the old part of the French capital. Between the Rivière-Madame River and the Bayeux de Flamance there are small streets with large parks, old mansions and Catholic churches built in the colonial era.
Compact blocks of modern office buildings are built in the neighborhood. Their first floors are traditionally occupied by cafes and small stores. Everything reminds of a European city, and if it were not for the palm trees around, it would seem that this is really one of the central districts of Paris. The center of Fort-de-France is La Savane Park with beautiful alleys, lots of fountains and open concert stages that serve as a venue for the most important events for the island and France.
Next to the central park is a fortress - Fort Saint-Louis. The fortification was erected in 1640 to protect the rocky ledge with the jetty and the bay from pirates. Originally everything was built of wood, but during the Dutch War the fort was reconstructed, fortification works were carried out, stone fences were built, a moat was dug, two batteries of cannons appeared, and a military garrison entered the service.
The fortification was named Royal. The Dutch failed to take the fortress after several sieges. Today Fort St. Louis with casemates, several barracks, bastions is partially open to tourists. Of interest are both buildings and structures belonging to the XVII-XIX centuries, and lawns on which the famous family of iguanas likes to bask. A modern naval base of the French Navy is located on part of the territory.
Heron, Martinique Island. Author - sviet73.
Intertwining French and Caribbean traditions in cuisine
Martinique's cuisine is rich in fish and seafood dishes. It is a perfect blend of French and Caribbean traditions. It is noteworthy that the cooking methods were inherited from the French, while all ingredients, especially the fruits of the tropics, are borrowed from Creole cuisine. Guests are sure to be offered glorified cocktails based on exotic juices from passion fruit, sugar cane, tangerine, guava. Martinique rum, which is not inferior to Cuban rum in quality, is in special demand. In any institution before serving main courses it is customary to order ti-punch.
Gourmet will bring light rum, sugar and syrup from cane, lime and ice. From these ingredients, you are supposed to make an individual shot to your taste. It will turn out to be sweet and sour on the palate, and after a few sips you will realize that your stomach was best prepared for Creole food. It's time to try accra doughnuts, chicken cooked in colombo sauce, crabs baked in a myriad of Indo-African spices, or opt for the more “European” quiche lorraine and Breton pancakes.
Local traditions and South American-style carnivals
Martinique has a great love of carnivals and is no more adept at it than South America's comparatively nearby Brazil. The carnival season starts in January, which coincides with the Christmas vacation of Europeans. The largest festivities are held between February and March. Costumed performances are necessarily accompanied simply by rivers of local rum.
In the program of events there is one day allocated for the so-called comic weddings. Men dress up in women's clothes, put on dresses, sometimes put something near the belly to convincingly resemble pregnant women. Women try on the image of men and successful grooms, but show that they do not want to be burdened with a serious relationship.
As evening descends on Martinique and a new day arrives
As evening falls and the tired island of Martinique prepares to rest. Tourists and locals come to the wide open beaches, the best of which are around the former capital, St. Pierre. There are plenty of bars nearby where you can catch a special Caribbean sunset.
The night before, it is not usually customary to order a ti-punch. Instead, a light rum cocktail with exotic juices or champagne is preferred. Interestingly, Martinique residents love champagne as much as the French and, according to statistics, drink 3.5 bottles per person every year.
