Fort-de-France (fawr–duh–FRAWNGS), city (1988 pop. 99,844), the French overseas dept. of Martinique, West Indies; 14°36'N 61°05'W. Located on a large natural harbor, at the mouth (N) of Baie de Fort-de-France, with cruise ship pier, across the bay. It is a popular tourist resort and a free port, exporting mainly bananas, sugar, and rum. It was settled in 1762 by the French, who built Fort-Royal by the strategically situated harbor. Yellow fever hampered its prosperity, however, and Fort-de-France did not gain importance until after 1902, when the city of Saint-Pierre was destroyed by an eruption of Mont Pelée. Drainage of the swamps to control disease further stimulated Fort-de-France’s growth. Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon I, was born across the bay from the city.
Capital city or county seat is shown by the symbol
the French overseas dept. of Martinique, West Indies; 14°36'N 61°05'W. Located on a large natural harbor, at the mouth (N) of Baie de Fort-de-France, with cruise ship pier, across the bay. It is a popular tourist resort and a free port, exporting mainly bananas, sugar, and rum. It was settled in 1762 by the French, who built Fort-Royal by the strategically situated harbor. Yellow fever hampered its prosperity, however, and Fort-de-France did not gain importance until after 1902, when the city of Saint-Pierre was destroyed by an eruption of Mont Pelée. Drainage of the swamps to control disease further stimulated Fort-de-France’s growth. Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon I, was born across the bay from the city.
