GEOGRAPHY
The French Overseas Department
of Martinique, a volcanic and picturesque island, is the northernmost
of the Windward Caribbean group. The island is noticeably more
rocky than those of the Leeward group, with beaches (of fine black
or white or peppered sand) surrounded by sugar, palm, banana and
pineapple plantations. Christopher Columbus called it 'the most
beautiful country in the world' and before he named it in honour
of St Martin, it was called Madinina ('island of flowers') by
the native population.
