This postcard with the view of Martinique I received
from France. A charming sender, Patricia, has been living in this place since
11 years and she loves it! She likes to share the beauty of her country
throughout the world.
So, what do we know about Martinique? Martinique is a
special territory in North America. The capital is Fort-de-France. The
population is about 432,900 habitants. Official languages are French and Creole
patois. This country in the Caribbean combines a distinctly French air with
West Indian warmth. The island is dominated by Mount Pelee. In the South of the
island, there are many beautiful beaches, in the North, the rain forests and
the black sand beaches are spectacular. Sights include La Pagerie, birthplace
of Napoleon's Empress Josephine, and Diamond Rock, a 600-foot pinnacle, once
registered as a British warship.
The anthem is here:
The tree, depicted in the postcard, is called Ravenala
madagascariensis, or traveller's tree or traveller's palm. It is called
"traveller's palm" (though it is not a real palm) because the sheaths of the stems hold rainwater,
which supposedly could be used as an emergency drinking supply for travellers. Another
possible reason for its name is that the fan tends to grow on an east-west
line, providing a crude compass.
And the stamps depict gourgeous flowers by my
favourite French impressionists - Gustave Caillebotte and Edouard Manet!
Thank
you so much for the beauty, you shared with me, Particia!
