island in the Windward group of the West Indies: overseas department of France: 417 sq mi (1,080 sq km); pop. 360,000; cap. Fort-de-France
See Martinique in American Heritage Dictionary 4
An island and overseas department of France in the Windward Islands of the West Indies. Inhabited first by Arawaks and later by Caribs, the island was visited by Columbus in 1502. It was colonized by French settlers after 1635. Fort-de-France is the capital. Population: 436,000.