The island state of Kiribati is located immediately in Polynesia and Micronesia. At present, the small country is successfully developing despite scarce natural resources.
Amazing facts about Kiribati
Of all the countries in the world, only Kiribati is located in all hemispheres of the planet at once - Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern. All 33 atolls belonging to the republic are scattered at a considerable distance from each other, while only 13 of them are permanently inhabited. At the same time, Christmas Island, the largest atoll in the world, accounts for about 48% of the state's total land mass.
1. Kiribati is a tiny island country located in the Western Pacific Ocean.
The name of the island nation of Kiribati comes from the distorted English "Gilbert Islands".
2. Kiribati is the only country on Earth located in all hemispheres at once - Northern and Southern, Western and Eastern.
3. The Republic of Kiribati in the northwest borders on the territorial waters of two states, namely the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. In the southwest and west, Kiribati has maritime boundaries with Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands and Nauru.
4. In the southeast and south - with the waters belonging to Tokelau, the Cook Islands, as well as French Polynesia. In the northeast and north, the republic borders on the Outer Small Islands, which are part of the United States, as well as on Pacific neutral waters.
5. The coastal strip of Kiribati has a length of 1143 kilometers.
6. Little is known about how the islands of Kiribati were settled. There is an assumption that the ancestors of modern local residents moved to the Gilbert atolls in the 1st millennium AD. from eastern Melanesia. But the Phoenix and Line archipelagos remained uninhabited by the time they were discovered by the Americans and Europeans.
7. Nevertheless, on these atolls one can find traces of the presence of a person who lived here in the distant past. A similar fact allowed scientists to assume that the local population for some reason left these archipelagos. One of the most popular versions explains this by small land areas, remoteness from other islands, an arid climate and a constant shortage of fresh water. Due to all these factors, it was difficult to live on these atolls. Most likely, the people who settled the islands soon left them.
8. The discoverers of the archipelagos located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean are American and British expeditions. Their ships visited these places in the period from the end of the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th century.
9. Initially, the atolls were called the Gilbert Islands. It happened in 1820. The name of the islands was given by the Russian traveler and Admiral Krusenstern in honor of the British captain T. Gilberg, who discovered these lands in 1788.
10. The first settlers from Britain arrived on the islands in 1837. In 1892, these territories became a protectorate of England. Christmas Island joined the colony in 1919 and Phoenix became part of it in 1937.
11. The land area of the Republic of Kiribati consists of 33 atolls. This is the name of the coral islands, which have a ring-shaped shape. This state also includes small coral islands.
12. The country of Kiribati is located on atolls, one of which, Banaba, is raised. According to the theory put forward by Charles Darwin, the formation of such formations was facilitated by the subsidence of volcanic islands and the gradual fouling of their surface with corals. This process led to the emergence of fringing reefs, and then barrier reefs. Thus, land appeared in this part of the Pacific Ocean.
13. The distance from the easternmost to the westernmost island of the state is 4 thousand kilometers.
14. In the waters of the Pacific Ocean, all these small areas of land are spread over an area exceeding 3.5 million square kilometers. According to this indicator, the country of Kiribati has the second largest exclusive economic zone in the Pacific Ocean. But the entire land area of the country does not exceed 811 square kilometers.
15. Although this Pacific nation has 33 atolls, only 13 of them have permanent population.
16. The island state of Kiribati is located immediately in Polynesia and Micronesia.
17. The country consists of island groups. These are the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line Islands. The last of them, by their location, belong to the southern part of the Hawaiian Islands.
18. The Republic of Kiribati as a state appeared in 1979, having gained independence from Great Britain.
19. The total population of Kiribati is a little over 115 thousand people.
20. About 90% of the population of Kiribati are representatives of the people of the same name. Its other name is tungar.
21. The official language of the country is English, but few people speak it. The majority of the population speaks Kiribati.
22. Modern writing in Kiribati uses the letters of the Latin alphabet.
23. In 1983, a friendship agreement was signed between the United States and Kiribati, according to which the United States renounced claims to 14 islands, recognizing them as part of Kiribati.
24. Kiribati does not have its own army. The defense of the state is carried out by the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand.
25. The United States in the 20th century tested atomic bombs on two atolls belonging to Kiribati.
26. This island nation has a weak economy, because it is far from world markets for its products.
27. Agriculture dominates the country, which negatively affects the vegetation cover of the islands, which are gradually being deforested.
28.Overpopulation, soil erosion and lack of fresh water are considered to be the main problems of Kiribati.
29. The United Kingdom periodically allocates funds to the development of the education system in Kiribati, and France to the health sector.
30. In Kiribati there are only 2 fresh, but about 100 small salt lakes. Some of them reach a diameter of several kilometers.
31. Freshwater lakes can be found only on two islands of the state. This is the atoll of Christmas and Teraina (Washington).
32. There is not a single river in Kiribati either.
33. The highest point of Kiribati is 81 meters above sea level. It is located on the Banaba Atoll. This is quite a lot, especially when compared with the Maldives, also located on the atolls, where the highest point is at a height of less than 5 meters.
34. The soils on the islands of Kiribati, due to their coral origin, are very poor and highly alkaline. Most of them are porous and do not retain moisture well.
35. The soils of Kiribati are very low in mineral and organic matter. The only exceptions are magnesium, sodium and calcium. Phosphate soils are widespread throughout the republic.
36. There are also brown-red soils on the islands, formed from guano, which is the decomposed droppings of sea birds, as well as bats.
37. The lack of water bodies on the islands is due to their small area, low altitude, and also the porosity of the soil.
38. The only source of fresh water on the atolls are the so-called lenses, formed by rainwater that seeps through the soil. You can get to the moisture by digging a well.
39. Such lenses are the only source of fresh water in most of the atolls of Kiribati. After the rains, local residents extract moisture for themselves from the leaves of coconut palms.
40.Since 28 January 2008, the Phoenix Island Group has been the world's largest marine reserve. Its area is 410.5 thousand square kilometers.
41. The Kiritimati Atoll, which is part of this country, is the largest coral atoll on Earth. It accounts for about 80% of the entire landmass of this country.
42. Christmas Island, one of the atolls that make up Kiribati, is the largest atoll in the world. Christmas Island is home to more bird species than any other island in the world.
43. The relatively young geological age of the atolls, their remoteness from the continent, as well as unfavorable weather conditions, have contributed to the fact that only 83 species of native plants in Kiribati exist. And none of them is endemic.
44. In addition, it is believed that several species of plants were introduced to these areas by Aboriginal people. Among them are: taka pinnatifid; breadfruit of two kinds; yam; giant taro; tarot; swamp giant taro.
45. Plants such as the coconut palm and the roofing pandanus most likely have a dual origin. On some atolls, they were brought by man, while on others they are indigenous representatives of the flora.
46.Four plant species, namely pandanus, breadfruit, coconut and taro, played in the past and continue to play today a leading role in the nutrition of the inhabitants of this island country.
47. The main representatives of the marine fauna are pearl mussels, holothurians (sea cucumbers), cones, tridacna, palm thieves and lobsters. There are a lot of fish in the ocean near the islands, of which there are from 600 to 800 species.
48. As for fish, it has always been the main food for local residents. In coastal waters, reef perches, albuls, hanos, large-headed mullets, sultans and horse mackerels are caught. There are several varieties of sea turtles near the islands.
49. Rich coastal waters of Kiribati and corals.
50. The animal world of the atolls is rather poor. During an American scientific expedition at the beginning of the 19th century, researchers discovered here only the only representative of land mammals - the Polynesian rat. Today, the inhabitants of the islands breed pigs and poultry.
51. But the world of avifauna in Kiribati is very diverse. There are 75 species of birds in the country, one of which is endemic. This is a warbler bird. She lives on Christmas Island.
52. Most of the landmasses of the Phoenix and Line archipelagos host large-scale bird colonies. That is why the islands of Starbuck and Malden, as well as part of the Christmas Atoll, have been declared a zone of marine reserves.
53. An additional source of income for Kiribati in recent years has been the issuance of licenses to fish in the Special Economic Zone.
54. The bulk of the republic's population lives on the Gilbert Islands. And most of them are located on Tarawa Atoll. Here is the capital of Kiribati - the city of South Tarawa. About 50 thousand inhabitants are registered here.
55. In addition to the capital, the city of Kiribati, there are 9 more settlements, the number of which exceeds 1.5 thousand people. The residential areas of the capital of Kiribati are located on several small islands, interconnected by bridges and dams.
56. South Tarawa comprises four municipalities. Their names are Betio and Bairiki, Bikinibeu and Bonriki. All these municipalities are located on the islands of the same name, being part of the capital of the state of Kiribati. It is on their territories that all the main commercial, government and educational institutions of the country are located.
57. So, in Betio there is a power plant operating for the entire atoll, a Maritime Institute and a port. Interestingly, this island is almost flat and devoid of vegetation. Its entire central part is occupied by a wide strip of the Hawkins airfield. It is in this place that the sights of Kiribati are located, which are military relics of the period when the famous battle for Tarawa took place.
58. Among the monuments reminiscent of the fierce battle on Tarawa are the Memorial Chapel built in the village of Abaroko.
59. And also the Memorial to the Heroes of the Outpost, which commemorates the memory of 22 British servicemen killed by the Japanese in October 1942.
60.The most important feature of Betio are military cemeteries, which can impress anyone with their numerous rows of wooden tombstones, because on the island, which is only 3 kilometers long, more than 5.5 thousand war victims are buried.
61. Kiribati has two radio stations of its own, government and private.
62. Road signs here are often drawn by hand on suitable surfaces.
63. Athletes from Kiribati take part in the Olympic Games.
64. The average annual temperature in Kiribati ranges from +26, +32 ⁰C.
65. On the Caroline Atoll, located in the Line Archipelago, people are the first to celebrate the New Year (outside of Eurasia and Antarctica). This happens due to the fact that this island is the easternmost piece of land located in the 12th time zone.
66. Among the local villages there are London, Paris and others. Locals like to call their villages after European capitals.
67.The production of postage stamps generates significant revenue for the public treasury. Stamps are very popular among philatelists from various countries.
68.There are two official currencies in circulation in the country - the Australian dollar and the equivalent Kiribati dollar.
69. The Kiribati one dollar coin has a dodecagonal shape.
70.At present, the small country is developing successfully despite scarce natural resources.
71.Kiribati is a member of the UN.
72.The world's only diplomatic mission of the Republic of Kiribati is located in the Fiji Islands.
73. The British Consulate is usually in charge of the diplomatic affairs of Kiribati.
74. Kiribati is an amazing country. In addition to the natural beauty, it is also notable for the fact that 99.99% of the world's population has no idea about its existence.
75. Kiribati is the least visited country on the planet by tourists. Only the most desperate tourists reach the remote islands of the country of Kiribati.
Saint Vincent is a small state consisting of the island of the same name and the Grenadines - a small group of islets. The capital of Saint Vincent is Kingstown. The country is part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The island itself was discovered back in 1498 by Christopher Columbus. Catholics celebrate St. Vincent's Day, and the island received the same name on this day. There are other interesting facts about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Interesting facts about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is considered an elite holiday area. This applies in particular to the island of Mustique. Here, members of the British royal family and other world celebrities come to rest. The island has many five-star hotels, entertainment venues, and beautiful beaches. Also, visitors have the opportunity to see many exotic animals and plants. Despite the high prices for goods and services, many tourists visit the island yearly. We have compiled a selection of the most amazing facts about St. Vincent.
1. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent state located in the Caribbean Sea. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
2. The country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the Windward Islands, south of Saint Lucia and north of Grenada. From the west, it is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and from the east by the Atlantic Ocean.
3. The territory of this state is 389.3 km², which is 183rd in the world.
4. Its territory includes the relatively large island of St. Vincent and 32 small islands (Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union, and others), which are part of the Northern Grenadines group in the Lesser Antilles archipelago, as well as Tobago reefs.
5. The flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a tricolor of three vertical stripes of blue, yellow, and green. In the center of the yellow stripe, 1/2 the length of the flag, three diamonds (rhombuses) are depicted in green, arranged in the Latin letter V - the first letter in the name of Vincent Island.
6. Christopher Columbus discovered the island of St. Vincent during his third expedition to the New World on January 28, 1498, on the day of St. Vincent, from where the name of the island came from.
7. The Carib Indians lived on the islands when the Europeans appeared. For more than two centuries, the Caribs fiercely resisted European colonization. The cannons of the Spanish coastal forts were directed inland since the Caribs posed a greater danger to the colonists than external enemies.
8. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the territory of St. Vincent alternately came under the control of the French or the British.
9. In 1719, the French began to grow coffee, tobacco, indigo, and cotton there. Enslaved Africans were brought in to work on the plantations. As a result of mixed marriages of runaway and formerly enslaved people with local Indians, a layer of "dark-skinned Caribs" (Garifs) appeared. Now, most of the population is made up of blacks and mulattos.
10. The British first took possession of St. Vincent in 1763, and it became a British colony under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. In 1796, the British crushed an uprising of dark-skinned Caribs and exiled more than 5,000 rebels to one of the islands off the coast of Honduras.
11. At the beginning of the 19th century, sugar cane plantations appeared in St. Vincent, where enslaved people worked. After the abolition of slavery in the English colonies (1834), emigrants from India and Portugal were attracted to the islands as a labor force.
12. In 1925, the first legislative council was created on the island; in 1951, universal suffrage was introduced; in 1969, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines received the status of an "associated state" with the right to full internal self-government.
13. And the country gained complete independence on October 27, 1979, by the constitution drawn up in September 1978 in London. In the same year, 1979, the Labor Party, which won the parliamentary elections, formed a government.
14. In 1984, the New Democratic Party won, and its leader, James Mitchell, became Prime Minister. This party also won in 1989, 1994, and 1998.
On February 15, 2001, Parliament was dissolved. A month later, early parliamentary elections were held, in which the United Labor Party (ULP) won 12 seats and the New Democratic Party 3. The government was headed and formed by the leader of the ULP, Ralph Gonsalves.
COUNTRY COMBAT SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
16. The coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines consists of a cotton flower, an emblem, and a ribbon with the text "Peace and Justice" in Latin. The symbol is based on the colonial version used from 1907 to 1979, which depicts two women in classic Roman dress, one holding a palm branch and the other with clasped hands.
17. St. Vincent is a mountainous island of volcanic origin; its area is 344 km². The entire central part of the main island is covered with forest.
18. The islands of the Grenadines archipelago are small in size; the largest are Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mero, and Union. Many of the Grenadines are surrounded by coral reefs.
19. The central part of the island of St. Vincent is occupied by mountains covered with forests. The highest point is the active volcano Soufriere (1234 meters). There is a lake in its crater. Soufrière erupted in 1718, 1812, 1902, and 1979.
20. To the south of it is a chain of gradually lowering cones of extinct volcanoes. Streams run down to the sea on the steep western slopes of the mountains, forming picturesque waterfalls and turning into turbulent streams after tropical downpours.
21. The eastern slopes are gentler, longer, wider, and more abundant rivers flow down them. The island's beaches are covered with black volcanic sand; the exception is the white sandy beaches at the southern tip of the island.
22. The climate here is tropical, trade wind, and humid. There are often intense hurricanes. Average monthly temperatures range from +24 to +28° C. The dry season lasts from December to April. The average annual rainfall on the southeast coast is 1500 mm, and in the interior mountainous regions - 3750 mm. 70% of precipitation falls from May to November.
23. The mountains are covered in places with dense tropical rainforests and shrubs. The fauna is rich in birds: the endangered St. Vincent Amazon parrot, a rare subspecies of the red-throated hermit thrush, and others.
24. Coastal waters abound with fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Several forest and ornithological reserves operate on the islands for nature protection.
CAPITAL - CITY OF KINGSTOWN
25. The capital of the island of St. Vincent is Kingstown, which means “city of kings.” A little more than 40 thousand inhabitants live here.
26. The capital city of Kingstown is the largest in the state. Kingstown is located in the harbor on the southwestern tip of St. Vincent.
27. Since Kingstown was under British rule for a long time, its architecture was dominated by the colonial style.
28. The city has several old churches: St. Mary's, St. George's, and the Kingstown Methodist Church.
29. Kingstown is an important financial center where tax incentives attract many banks.
30. Also, it is the main economic center of the state. The rich soil of the islands allows you to grow various vegetables and fruits. Arrowroot grows here, which is added to desserts, sweet potatoes, coconuts, breadfruit, and bananas, which are the country's pride. Banana varieties such as figs and bluggo are considered especially popular.
31. Agriculture in the country specializes in producing bananas, coconuts, and arrowroot, starchy flour from arrowroot rhizomes. Among the local population, cassava tubers are widely used, from which choki cakes are made.
BOTANICAL GARDEN IN KINGSTOWN
32. Also, there is a Botanical Garden in Kingstown, founded more than 200 years ago in 1762. Plants from all over the world are collected here. The complex is the oldest in the entire Western Hemisphere. In its exposition, there are more than 450 species of tropical plants. In addition, there is an aviary for birds, including the endangered species of parrot - the Amazon.
33. The official language of the state is English. But in fact, the local population speaks Creole or Vincentian.
34. North of Kingstown are the ruins of Fort Charlotte, which was built in 1806 to guard the city and harbor. The Museum of the History of the Black Caribs is currently located here.
35. Hiking enthusiasts can walk along the nature trail Bookament-Vermont-Nature-Trail, during which the opportunity to wander through the rainforest and watch the birds.
36. On St. Vincent, as on other islands, there are many beautiful bays and white beaches framed by palm trees. Some of the islands are privately owned.
37. The combination of coral reefs and clear water is ideal for spearfishing.
38. The largest seaport is located in Kingstown. Arnos Vale International Airport is located near the capital. In addition to it, there are five more airports on the islands.
39. Local coins have the most diverse geometric shapes. This is because most of the locals are illiterate. This currency is expected in seven countries in the region.
40. There are unusual laws and traditions here. For example, do not do in St. Vincent: 1. Kick the ballot boxes. Every waste bin has its sponsor who will not like this treatment. 2. Walk without an umbrella. Generally, this is not forbidden, but the weather here is unpredictable. 3. Go to street bars. These are ordinary wooden stalls where a simple TV and music play. 4. Joking about religion. Very devout people live in St. Vincent, no matter what denomination they belong to.
41. Tobago Reefs is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. They are uninhabited. Stunning corals grow here, and the variety of algae and fish is impressive. This area has been given the status of a National Park. Fishing on Tobacco is prohibited, and a severe fine is imposed for garbage thrown in the wrong place.
42. On the archipelago islands and beaches, they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean with Johnny Depp in the title role. The filming location has long been a center for excursions and pilgrimages. It is called Jack Sparrow Valley.
43. There is no rail connection in the country. Movement is carried out mainly by cars. The total length of roads in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is 1,000 kilometers. The hard coating has only a third of them. Tourists can rent a car. You can also use taxi services.
44. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are members of the UN and the Organization of American States. From 1958 to 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were part of the West Indies Federation. The country maintains economic ties with other states of the West Indies, being a member of the Caribbean Community and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
45. Oldheg Turtle Sanctuary is located on the island of Bequia. The staff of the reserve is working on the conservation of one of the rare species of turtles. Since many newborns die immediately after birth, the reserve workers, together with volunteers, collect newborn turtles and place them in a special nursery. There, young turtles learn to survive in nature on their own. Only after the young turtles can get food and take care of their safety are they released into the ocean.
46. On the west coast of the island of St. Vincent, there are beautiful Balein waterfalls.
47. A particular type of acacia grows on the islands. Its pods are large, and the seeds begin to make sounds when dried. As a result, a fascinating musical instrument called “shak-shak” is obtained from huge pods.
48. The locals here live modestly, as in other developing countries. The lack of a medical and educational system and high unemployment led to the mass migration of residents to other countries.
49. Approximately 20% of residents experience difficulties in finding employment. It also has a meager birth rate. On average, one woman gives birth to no more than two children.
50. The country has banned the export of things of cultural value without accompanying documents. This also applies to corals and products from them.
51. Given the growing popularity of the resorts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the demand for the purchase of real estate on the islands is also growing.
52. However, potential buyers are faced with several protective measures introduced by the state due to the small size of the territory. So, to purchase real estate, foreign citizens are first required to obtain a special permit and pay some fees.
53. The most popular real estate types are villas on the coast. The cost of such villas starts from $ 200,000. Apartments are less popular, but there is also a demand for them. Most of the apartments are rented out.
54. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the perfect place for a beach holiday. All the islands have white sand beaches, and in the east of St. Vincent, you can see black sand beaches.
55. Although people go to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for a beach holiday, you should remember the rules of conduct in public places. Outside the hotel, a bathing suit is considered unacceptable here. Moreover, you are unlikely to be allowed into a good restaurant in this form.
56. The islands of St. Vincent and nearby Kanukan and Bequia are where the best beaches, restaurants, and cafes are concentrated. St. Vincent is more crowded, and there is more entertainment, while on other islands, it is the other way around: there are many secluded bays and trails for hiking.
57. The country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is focused on elite tourism. The government is considered a fashionable resort. It has a well-developed infrastructure, beautiful nature, and excellent ecology. Tourists also have the opportunity to see many exotic animals and plants.
58. There are many five-star resort hotels in the country. Most of them are on the coast and have their beach and developed infrastructure.
59. Holidays in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are considered elite. Mustique Island is a holiday destination for celebrities. Such famous people as Bill Gates, the English royal family members, and Mick Jagger spent time here. The resort area organized here is superbly equipped. Horse riding and golf courses, magnificent beaches, exotic animals, and citrus orchards - all this is on the island. The prices are appropriate.
60. Despite the high prices for goods and services, many tourists visit the island yearly.
61. The monetary unit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the East Caribbean dollar. It is in circulation in 6 countries that are members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
62. St. Vincent and Grenadine's cuisine is based on seafood. The main recipe of many menus here is grilled fish. Shellfish, shrimp, and lobsters are used in cooking, and three to three fish, are a local delicacy. It is prepared in various ways but always with curry and spices.
63. In addition to seafood, fruits and vegetables are used in local cuisine: sweet potatoes, arrowroot, bananas, coconuts, and breadfruit.
64. Of the drinks, tea, coffee, cocoa, and various juices are common. The islands produce rum, the basis of most cocktails, and brew beer.
65. Elite tourism brings the bulk of the income to the local budget. Also, St. Vincent is one of the most popular offshore zones.
The paradise island of Mauritius is a beautiful place to spend a vacation. Here you can enjoy the fantastic local atmosphere, not yet soaked through with a commercial attitude. However, holidays in Mauritius are not very cheap, not least because of the flight cost.
Interesting facts about Mauritius
Mauritius is a popular resort, but there are almost no tourists here during the rainy season. It's all because of the weather; during the rainy season, powerful hurricanes and typhoons hit the island every year, carrying tons of water and causing powerful floods.
1. Mauritius is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is 900 kilometers from Madagascar.
2. The full name of the country is the Republic of Mauritius, because in addition to the island of the same name, Mauritius, it also includes islands such as Rodrigues, Cargados Carajos and a number of smaller islands and islets.
3. The total land area of the republic is only 2 thousand 40 square kilometers.
4. Mauritius has practically no water possessions - in total they make up only 0.05% of the country's territory.
5. Most of the country's population lives on the main island - Mauritius.
6. Mauritius had a rather difficult past. This country was colonized by the Dutch, French and British.
7. The colonialists brought slaves from India, China and Africa to the territory of the modern state, which further influenced the population and culture of Mauritius.
8. This country received independence from the British only in 1968. And this state became a Republic in 1992.
9. Mauritius is the richest African country. GDP per capita is $13,703 (ranked 53rd in the world). For comparison, in Russia about 16,000 dollars.
10. Also, despite its small size, the Republic of Mauritius is a very densely populated country. With a total population of about 1,267,000 people, the population density here is 610 people per square kilometer. This makes the state the first in Africa in this indicator. And in the world in terms of population density, the Republic of Mauritius ranks 19th.
11. Although the population growth rate here is very low - it grows by an average of 1% in three years.
12.The country's population is mainly composed of people of Indo-Pakistani origin. They account for about 2/3 of the population. About ¼ of the country's population are Creoles (mestizos of French and African origin).
13. Most of the population of the country professes Hinduism. They account for about 48.5% of the population. This makes Mauritius the only African country with a Hindu majority. In addition to Hindus, about 26.3% of Catholics and about 17.3% of Muslims live here.
14.Despite the fact that English is the most spoken language in the country, there is no official language in the country. The constitution of this country only mentions that English is the official language of the government, however, in addition to English, French is allowed in the government.
15. English is the most common language in government circles and in business. As for the most common language, it is Creole, which is spoken by 85.6% of the country's population.
16.The Republic of Mauritius hosts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The first object is the Aapravasi Ghat building, which became the first point of reception of labor migrants from India.
17. The second object is Mount Le Morne Brabant, in the caves of which the slaves who escaped from captivity found refuge.
18. The local currency is the Mauritian rupee, but most places will also accept US dollars.
19. There is one university in Mauritius. It is located in the capital city of Port Louis.
20. In the Republic of Mauritius, education is free, and higher education too. And the state sends especially gifted individuals to study abroad.
21. The national flag of this state consists of four equal colored stripes. Each lane has its own meaning. The red color, located at the very top, means a bloody past before the abolition of slavery and the acquisition of independence. The blue color immediately following the red is the boundless and mighty Indian Ocean that surrounds Mauritius. Yellow, the penultimate color, is the bright future of the country, and green, the last color, is the nature of the island.
22. Geographically belonging to Africa, Mauritius is the richest African country in terms of per capita income.
23. The first people to ever set foot on Mauritian soil were Europeans. The Portuguese captain who discovered Mauritius gave him the name "Sishna" in honor of one of his ships.
24. The original forests in Mauritius were cut down to the root. Almost all the plants that now grow on the island were once brought here by the colonists.
25. Mauritius does not have its own army. The people with weapons there are the police, the maritime patrol service and the police special forces. The crime rate is very low.
26. Mauritius is surrounded by the third largest coral reef in the world. It is called Saya de Malha. This is one of the best diving spots in the world. Here you can explore sunken ships, meet many species of exotic fish and admire colorful corals.
27. One of the local attractions is the Seven Colored Sands, dunes consisting of grains of sand of seven different colors. The spectacle is amazing.
28. Due to tropical downpours, floods are not uncommon here, and almost every year tropical hurricanes hit Mauritius, the speed of which exceeds 200 kilometers per hour.
29. All TV channels and radio stations here belong to the state.
30. The cuisine of Mauritius has been significantly influenced by Chinese, European and Indian cuisines. Also, French dishes are very popular on the island. Most of the traditional Mauritian dishes were created by former slaves, Indian workers and Chinese migrants in the 19th century.
31. The extinct Dodo bird was endemic to Mauritius, that is, this island was the only place where it lived. Even though the bird died out a long time ago, it is the national bird of the country and is even depicted on the national coat of arms.
32. Presumably, this bird became extinct due to the Dutch, who encountered it for the first time in 1598. After the Dutch settled in Mauritius, the last Dodo was seen in the 1960s.
33. One in five women and one in ten men in Mauritius are illiterate, unable to read and write.
34. About 8% of Mauritians are unemployed. An interesting fact is that the number of people below the poverty line is equal to the number of unemployed.
35. The climate here is very mild - there is neither suffocating heat nor severe cold. The climate on this island is maritime subtropical, with fairly uniform temperatures throughout the year. Average annual temperatures are in the region of 20 degrees Celsius in the coastal areas and in the range of 10 degrees Celsius on the high plateau. In total, the country has two seasons: hot (lasts from December to April) and cool (from June to September).
36. This island is home to the world's only underwater waterfall. You can watch it from a bird's eye view. The waterfall is located off the coast of Le Morne. Although in fact, this is not a waterfall, but an optical illusion that is visible only from above. Undercurrents and sand flowing from the edge of the ocean floor create the illusion of a waterfall.
37. Mauritius is a paradise, an island in the Indian Ocean, replete with clean beaches and green palm trees.
38. In addition to cleanliness and beautiful nature, Mauritius boasts a favorable and safe environment, as well as amazingly delicious local cuisine.
39. Unlike many other island nations, Mauritius is replete with rivers and streams.
40. Once Europeans tried to develop agriculture here, but it turned out that frequent hurricanes destroy any crops, and only sugar cane is able to withstand the onslaught of furious winds.
41. Sugar cane is the main crop grown on this island. Sugar cane fields occupy almost 80% of the island.
42. You can also find tea plantations in the highlands. Sugar and tea are the main exports of this state.
43. Tourism is the second largest source of income for the state. With scenic beauty and magnificent white-squeaky beaches and turquoise-clear ocean waters, Mauritius is a true tourist paradise.
44. Tourists from all over the world come to this island every year to sunbathe in the sun and swim in the crystal clear waters.
45. Despite its small size, you can admire a variety of flora and fauna on the island. There are a huge number of birds and more than 700 species of plants.
46.Here you can meet huge sea turtles, amazing pink pigeons (endemic to this island) and many other animals and birds.
47. Holidays in Mauritius cost a lot of money, not least because of the cost of the flight. Prices can be compared with the Seychelles or the Maldives.
48. Mauritius is famous for its incredibly beautiful beaches and the fact that every year more and more tourists come to the island. Every year it is visited by about a million lovers of beach holidays and water sports.
49. Many have heard about this wonderful island in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is the dream of all those who love white sandy beaches and blue blue seas.
50. Due to its small size, tourists can completely drive around the entire country of Mauritius in just a few hours. If one island seems not enough, then you can go to other islands of this amazing state.
Kiribati is an island country in the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest state in Oceania in terms of extent, with an area of about 5,000,000 km² covered by the ocean, but the land area is only a small fragment of it, only 811 km², in the form of 32 small islets . The country has about 100,000 inhabitants who can be proud of the official title of "land of the rising sun". taking into account the conventions that set the time zone across the planet. The Republic of Kiribati is one of the first places on Earth traversed by the first rays of the Sun every morning. The time zone is 14 hours ahead of UTC - the farthest time zone in the world.
The state comprises three groups of islands - the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands. The capital of the Republic of Kiribati is South Tarawa, and the island relief is of coral and volcanic origin, the maximum altitude in the area being only 80 meters. The climate is equatorial, and vegetation is represented by tropical trees and grassy plants. Coconut and pandanus forests occupy 50% of the territory.
The island state of Kiribati is located immediately in Polynesia and Micronesia. Currently, the small country is successfully developing, despite scarce natural resources. Bemorepanda collected some interesting facts:
1. The name of the island state of Kiribati comes from the distorted English "Gilbert Islands".
2. All the islands on which Kiribati is located are atolls.
3. Kiribati covers an area of 33 atolls.
4. The highest point in Kiribati is 81 meters above sea level. It is located on Banaba Atoll.
5. On the territory of Kiribati there are two freshwater lakes and about a hundred salt ones.
6. Kiribati is a member of the United Nations.
7. Two of the atolls of Kiribati were once used for testing atomic weapons.
8. The main problems in Kiribati are overpopulation, lack of fresh water and soil erosion.
9. The total population of Kiribati is just over one hundred thousand people.
10. About 90% of the population of Kiribati are representatives of the people of the same name. Its other name is tungaru.
11. The official language of the country is English, but very few people speak it. The majority of the population speaks the Kiribati language.
12. The writing system of Kiribati is based on the English alphabet.
13. Kiribati does not have its own army.
14. There are two official currencies in the country - the Australian dollar and the equivalent Kiribatian dollar.
15. The Kiribati one dollar coin has a dodecagonal shape.
16. Stamps issued by the country are popular with philatelists around the world and are a significant source of replenishment of the state treasury.
17. Kiribati has the second largest exclusive economic zone in the Pacific Ocean - more than three and a half million square kilometers of water space.
18. Kiribati has two radio stations - a government and a private one.
19. Kiribati is the least visited country on the planet by tourists.
20. Athletes from Kiribati take part in the Olympic Games.
21. Also, the Republic of Kiribati is unique in that it is located in all hemispheres of the Earth at once. Part of Kiribati, islands
22. Phoenix is the world's largest marine reserve.
23. On one of the atolls of Kiribati there is a city called London.
24. Christmas Island, one of the Kiribati atolls, is the largest atoll in the world. He alone occupies 48 percent of the country's total land mass..
25. The Republic of Kiribati as a state appeared in 1979, having gained independence from Great Britain.
26. There is not a single river in Kiribati.
27. The only diplomatic mission in the world of the Republic of Kiribati is located on the Fiji Islands. In Russia, for example, the British consulate is in charge of Kiribati's diplomatic affairs.
28. Tarawa and others of the Gilbert group were occupied by Japan during World War II.
29. The island is slowly disappearing.
30. Most of the islands of Kiribati are low-lying coral atolls built on a submerged volcanic chain and encircled by reefs.
If there is a truly heavenly spot on Earth, it is probably located in New Caledonia. At least that's what those who have been here are saying. And it's hard to argue with this - magnificent beaches, snow-white yachts swaying on azure waves. In addition, serene calm always reigns here, not interrupted by various events that periodically shake the world political arena.
Amazing facts about New Caledonia
Even though New Caledonia is located in the Pacific Ocean, de jure, it is considered an overseas department of France. And, like other former French colonies that never gained independence, this country primarily exists thanks to the financial support of the metropolis. It is not so easy for the French to move here to live because they will not receive any social benefits here. The French authorities decided to cut off the flow of their citizens who wanted to wallow on New Caledonian beaches, do nothing and live on welfare.
1. New Caledonia is located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia.
2. This country is one large island in the Pacific Ocean, including a relatively small island group.
3. New Caledonia is a particular administrative-territorial entity of France.
4. About a quarter of the New Caledonian population are Europeans, primarily French.
5. New Caledonia consists of the leading and most significant island, Grande Ter, and several other smaller islands.
6. The total area of the New Caledonia archipelago is 19,060 km². This can be compared to the size of Wales.
7. The famous navigator James Cook first discovered these islands for Europeans.
8. Therefore, the island got its name in honor of Caledonia, an area located in Scotland, which was the birthplace of Captain Cook.
9. From the nearest giant neighbor, Australia, New Caledonia is separated by 1200 kilometers.
10 ... According to scientists, New Caledonia separated from Australia about 66 million years ago.
11. Then, for 16 million years, the archipelago drifted in a northeasterly direction until it reached its current position about 50 million years ago.
12. The first people appeared here about 3.5 thousand years ago. After the discovery of this archipelago by Cook, British whalers and sandalwood traders soon began to appear there.
13. The influx of foreigners brought trade and many diseases that the indigenous population first encountered. Leprosy, smallpox and dysentery led to the mass extinction of the indigenous people.
14. As trade in this place expanded, so did the number of missions, which further eradicated local customs and traditions.
15. The French arrived on the island's territory in 1843 under the pretext of protecting the indigenous population and made it their colony in 1853.
16. But the French needed New Caledonia only to counteract British influence in this region.
17. New Caledonia was a French colony from 1853 until the end of the 1980s.
18. In 1988, the Matignon Accords were signed, according to which the archipelago gained independence but remained under the strong influence of France.
19. The former colonialist retained his powers in defense, currency, public order, justice, and foreign affairs.
20. Despite the new status, New Caledonia depends on France. More than 50% of this country's income is subsidies from France.
21. Europeans first settled in New Caledonia when France established a colony there. In the 19th century, the French sent former prisoners there and gave them land there to farm and build houses.
22. Now, out of 278,500 people in New Caledonia, about 30% have French roots.
23. Of the entire population of the whole country - a little more than a quarter of a million people, about a hundred thousand live in the capital city of Noumea.
24. And about 40% of the local population are Kanaks, representatives of one of the peoples of Melanesia. However, their culture practically disappeared under the influence of France. Even the purely Kanak villages here are more like European than Pacific settlements.
25. In 2018, a referendum was organized on the independence of New Caledonia from France, resulting in the overwhelming majority of voters opposing independence.
26. The local currency is called the French Pacific franc. In addition to New Caledonia, this currency is circulated on the Wallis, Futuna Islands, and French Polynesia.
27. French traditions are decisive here. This manifests itself in architecture, local food, and croissants. But this does not surprise anyone since New Caledonia is an overseas possession of France.
28. Not surprisingly, the official language of New Caledonia is French.
29. Although the locals speak 30 Melanesian and Polynesian languages and dialects.
30. Of course, most of the population speaks French. New Caledonia. But Indonesian, Vietnamese, Tahitian, Welsh, and Chinese are among the archipelago's 30 most widely spoken languages .
31. Since most of the country's population is fluent in two languages, French and one of the 30 most common languages.
32. But most people here do not speak English. Tourists must learn French if they desire to feel comfortable while relaxing in New Caledonia.
33. Most citizens of New Caledonia identify themselves as Catholics.
34. Almost 97% of the local population is literate, which is a high rate for countries in Oceania.
35. Education in New Caledonia is free and compulsory for children between 6 and 16. Primary education lasts five years. Secondary education is divided into two cycles: the first last four years, and the second - is three years.
36. If Caledonian citizens wished to obtain a higher education, they did not have to travel abroad. There are five higher educational institutions in the country.
37. Education in New Caledonia is based on the French curriculum provided by French and French-trained teachers.
38. The national flag of New Caledonia is a rectangular panel with three stripes: blue, red, and green. The blue stripe symbolizes the sky and the ocean. Red is the blood that the patriots shed in the fight for freedom. The red color also represents collectivism. Green is the color of ancestors.
39. Besides the three stripes, the flag has a yellow circle with a spire inside. The ring symbolizes the sun. It became the national flag in July 2010. Before that, it was used as a regional flag, France's national flag.
40. The Kanaks, the indigenous people of the archipelago, have long cultivated yams, Talos (potato-like roots), bananas, and sweet potatoes. Until recently, these products were the main ones in their diet. Also, bats were used as Kanaka meat. Now, these products are leaving their table, replaced by rice (instead of yams and that), frozen foods, beef, pork, and lamb.
41. Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, was built by French colonists and was practically the only major city. About 90% of the population lives in the money, which does not have indigenous roots.
42. The climate here is tropical. There are two seasons: hot and humid and dry and cool. Hot and humid last from November to March. The average temperature is kept within 27-30 degrees Celsius. And the dry and cool season lasts from June to August when the average air temperature reaches 20-23 degrees Celsius.
43. Here in the central mountain range, the highest peaks are Mont Panier (height 1629 meters), located in the north, and Mont Humboldt (elevation 1618 meters), located in the southeast.
44. Despite the compact size of the country's main island, about 3,000 different plant species grow on it.
45. And forests cover about 15% of all New Caledonia.
46. Large tracts of forest have been preserved in the vicinity of Jensen. Severe rocks, framed by picturesque waterfalls, break through the green cover.
47. Near Yengen, there is “the most picturesque cliff in the country” - the “black rocks” Linderalik and Mount Pani. In the town itself, it is worth getting acquainted with the Goa-Ma-Bwarhat Cultural Center - a venue for folklore performances.
48. New Caledonia is a unique oasis of Pacific flora and fauna. The archipelago is surrounded by the most significant 1600 km reef barrier in Oceania, forming a relatively closed ecosystem.
49. For 300 million years, the islands were completely isolated from the rest of the world; this explains the vast number of endemics, especially in the plant world - about 2,500 unique plants make New Caledonia the "first botanical garden" of the entire South Pacific region.
50. The pride of the Caledonian flora is Amborella Trihopoda, the "mother of flowers" on our planet.
51. The animal world here is not very diverse. Only a few species of bats lived in New Caledonia even before the advent of Europeans, deer, and wild pigs, and there are no other mammals. Also, there are no poisonous snakes or frogs.
52. Several species of scorpions and centipedes can be found on the country's territory. It is also curious that many geckos live on the local islands.
53. And up to 100 species of birds are found here, and in New Caledonia, there are 22 species of birds that live only in this region and are not found anywhere else in the world.
54. Although New Caledonia receives a lot of money from France and tourists, the main contribution to the budget is the extraction of nickel, the rich deposits here. Nickel mining in the archipelago began in 1894.
55. Nickel is New Caledonia's main export commodity. According to preliminary estimates, about 25% of its world reserves are in New Caledonia.
56. Horse racing is popular in New Caledonia, as is women's cricket.
57. The visa regime here is quite strict. For example, even holders of French passports must come to terms with the fact that their stay on the island is limited.
58. Salaries here are much higher than in other Pacific countries. Prices, by the way, too.
59. New Caledonia is a hospitable country with gourmet food under palm trees, white sand, chic resorts, and bungalows. If there is a truly heavenly spot on Earth, it is probably located in New Caledonia. At least that's what those who have been here are saying.
60. magnificent beaches and snow-white yachts are swaying on the azure waves. In addition, serene calm always reigns here, not interrupted by various events that periodically shake the world political arena.
Martinique is France's island and overseas territorial community in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Lesser Antilles island chain. Its closest neighbors are the island republics of Dominica, 22 miles (35 km) to the northwest, and Saint Lucia, 16 miles (26 km) to the south. Guadeloupe, another part of overseas France, is about 75 miles (120 km) to the north. This island has incredible views and will not leave anyone indifferent to its beaches.
Amazing facts about Martinique
Travelers are always interested in interesting facts about France and its overseas department - the exotic island of Martinique. Well, this tropical resort has its little secrets!
1. Martinique is an island country in the Caribbean.
2. The island of Martinique belongs to the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles and is located in its central part.
3. Martinique is one of the most attractive islands in the Caribbean.
4. Beautiful beaches, cozy bays, hilly trekking paths, as well as fantastic vegetation of the tropics along the coast attract many travelers.
5. Martinique is located between Saint Lucia and Dominica. On all sides, the island is surrounded by beaches, but if the Caribbean Sea washes Martinique in the west and south, then by the Atlantic Ocean in the east and north.
6. Such a geographical location of the island attracts divers and other lovers of active water sports from all over the world.
7. Martinique is the most prosperous overseas department of France in the Caribbean. This territory has belonged to France since 1635.
8. The island's indigenous population was Caribs, Indians, whose name remained in the toponym "Caribbean Sea."
9. The island was discovered by Columbus at the end of the 15th century, more precisely, in 1493. It is believed that the history of Martinique begins from this moment.
10. Not finding gold on the island, the Spaniards left it. But the Spaniards named Martinique after one of their Catholic saints.
11. Since the Spaniards were not interested in the island with beautiful nature, the French subsequently founded the first settlement here.
12. In 1635, 90 French settlers founded the fortified Fort Saint-Pierre here, and the French colonization of Martinique began.
13. At first, the island was the property of a private company, but then it was bought by the state and from 1664 became the crown colony of France.
14. Already by the 60s of the 17th century, the Indian population of Martinique was either exterminated in wars with the French, or died from diseases brought from Europe, so the new landowners began to massively import slaves from Africa.
15. It is not surprising that local history is full of a large number of events related to the struggle of slaves for their rights and freedoms. However, slavery was abolished in Martinique only in 1848 - by decree of the Provisional Government of France in the colonies.
16. In 1870, the population of Martinique received voting rights and representation in the French Parliament.
17. And since 1946, Martinique has the status of an overseas department of France (but it is not an independent state, like French Guiana in South America).
18. Now Martinique is a wonderful resort with wonderful nature and a highly developed tourist infrastructure.
19. At one time, this island was called by Columbus "the most beautiful land in the world."
20. Martinique can rightly be called one big resort. There are many first-class hotels, excellent beaches and stunning architecture of the colonial period. All this is the hallmark of the island.
21. The largest and highest volcano on the island is Mont Pele, its height is 1397 meters. The name translates as "Bald Mountain". The volcano is located 8 kilometers from Fort Saint-Pierre, which suffered from its eruption over 100 years ago.
22. Saint-Pierre, the largest city of the island, was the first capital of Martinique, which was almost completely destroyed by the 1902 eruption of Mont Pele. Now, making tours to Martinique, you can visit Saint-Pierre and see for yourself the destructive power of volcanoes. The local museum of volcanology is open for visiting, the remains of the old theater, the ruins of the city prison and city warehouses are also interesting for tourists.
23. Nearby is the house-museum of Paul Gauguin, who lived at one time in Martinique. Some of the masterpieces of the world famous French artist Gauguin were painted in Martinique. In the house where the genius lived, a museum is now open, but, unfortunately, there are no originals of his works there.
24. The city of Fort-de-France is the modern capital of Martinique. For its architecture and originality, it is often called "Little Paris".
25. On the narrow streets of Fort-de-France, coming from the bay de Flamence and the Rivière Madame, there are a large number of mansions of the colonial period, many churches, and a well-developed network of cafes and shops.
26. Fort-de-France is also a city of parks. In the center of the city there is a large park La Savane, where there are many beautiful fountains, palm alleys and open areas for concerts.
27.From the southeast, the park is adjacent to Fort St. Louis. The streets of the city are narrow, winding, there are many cafes and restaurants, as well as historical and cultural monuments. The city also has a large number of different museums.
28. The city of Fort - de - France, the capital of Martinique and at the same time one of the largest ports, where sugar, rum and cocoa beans are exported. It is in this part of the coast that there are bays convenient for navigation - those in which there are no reefs.
29. There are many reefs around Martinique. This is inconvenient for sailors, but ideal for divers. By the way, the infrastructure for diving and sport fishing is well developed on the local coast.
30. Due to volcanic activity, the island has a difficult terrain (for which tours to Martinique are especially respected by fans of hiking trekking) and indented, with a large number of bays, coasts (this makes a beach holiday especially cozy).
31. As for the hills, they are mainly represented here by hills, but on the north side there are old volcanoes, the highest of which is almost one and a half kilometers above sea level: this is Mont Pele (which translates as "Bald Mountain"). It was his eruption at the beginning of the twentieth century that destroyed the first capital of Martinique, but since then Mont Pele has been sleeping.
32. For Martinique in 1855 - 1961, special monetary units were issued in France, which were in circulation only here. Now on the island - as well as in the metropolis - the euro is used, but in many places in Martinique, US dollars are accepted for payment.
33. The cheapest and most common form of transport among the local population is a bus. Here it is called "collective taxi". However, such a “taxi” runs only according to a schedule, and on weekends it is quite rare. Alternatively, you can use a regular taxi, but its cost is much more expensive.
34. The "golden mean" for tours of Martinique is car rental. You can rent a car almost everywhere, you only need to have a driver's license from any country in the world. The main thing to remember is that traffic on the island is right-handed!
35. Lake Etang - de - Saline - this is a great place for lovers of both active and passive recreation. The reservoir is located in the southernmost part of Martinique, 600 meters from the Caribbean Sea, as a result of which its waters are salty. The weather in this area is always sunny and warm. On the lake, you can either just sunbathe or go diving, as the nearby Strait of St. Lucia is rich in its underwater world.
36. The southernmost coast of Martinique is the Les Salines peninsula, recognized as the most beautiful place on the island due to its amazing beaches.
37. The Strait of St. Lucia, into whose waters Le Saline crashes, is famous for strong currents and a rich underwater world, which cannot but please diving fans.
38. The town of Sainte-Anne, which is the peculiar capital of the peninsula, is known for its small but very beautiful Abbey Morland square, a church built of white sandstone, and charming street architecture.
39. The Piton du Carbet mountain range is located near the Mont Pele volcano in the northern part of the island of Martinique. Despite the fact that Piton - du - Carbet is of volcanic origin, eruptions have never occurred here.
40. The length of the ridge is 80 kilometers, and it includes several peaks. The highest point of the ridge is Mount More - Pavillon, which rises at an altitude of 1197 meters above sea level. This place is perfect for lovers of mountaineering and hiking.
41. Fans of sea fishing, diving and those who like to just relax on the beach will be interested in the Presqu'il Caravel peninsula, located in the Baye du Gallon. Presqu'il Caravel is widely known for its wild beaches.
42. In Martinique, the so-called trekking routes are very popular - hiking along hiking trails. First of all, this is the Route de la Tres, which passes through the rainforest and the slopes of the Piton du Carbet peaks.
43. Its second name is the Jesuit trail. It windingly runs from the capital of Martinique - Fort - de - France to the Piton - du - Carbet mountain range. The trail passes between huge volcanic formations, past the church and the Balata botanical garden. Also, in some places, the mountain river Alma flows along it.
44. At an altitude of 450 m above sea level, the most famous residential point is located here - the settlement of Mont Rouge. Walking along this path, between fern thickets and palm groves, you can enjoy the beauty of the local nature to the fullest.
45. The creation of the beautiful Balata Botanical Garden, famous for its huge variety of flowers, lasted 20 years. Representatives of European flora grow in the garden: pines, orchids, which are perfectly complemented by representatives of the exotic flora: dragon trees, reeds and cordilins. In total, about 3 thousand different types of trees, shrubs and flowers are represented in the Balata Botanical Garden. In addition, small ponds are broken in the garden, the water surface of which is covered with lilies and water lilies.
46. The history of the volcano Mon - Pele, the second name of which sounds like "Bald Mountain", is quite tragic. Back in the 18th century, he began to show signs of life, but they were insignificant and soon completely stopped. However, in May 1902, a serious volcanic eruption occurred, as a result of which the former capital of the island, the city of Saint-Pierre, was completely destroyed by ash and stones that escaped from the mouth of Mont-Pele. Subsequently, the Museum of Volcanology was opened in the city, and Enns-Siron Beach, which is of volcanic origin, is also located here.
47. Balata Church is located 10 kilometers from the capital of the island and is a copy of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in France. This magnificent building was erected in 1928 in the Romano-Byzantine style.
48. The building has a rectangular shape and is crowned with a dome resembling the silhouette of a basilica. Outside, the shrine is decorated with sculptures, and its interior is full of stained glass windows and mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible. The church was built on the territory of the Jardin-Balata botanical garden and is surrounded by artificial ponds with lilies and water lilies.
49. Fort Desaix is one of several structures built in the 18th century. It was intended to protect the capital of the island from attacks on the island. The fort is named after the French general Louis Charles Antoine Desaix, who took part in the Egyptian campaign of Napoleon Bonaparte.
50. Initially, the structure had an irregular pentagonal shape. During the Great Patriotic War, gold bars from the Bank of Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves of France were stored here. Today, the fort is reserved for the headquarters of the armed forces of France.
51. In the north of the island you can see beaches with black and gray sand. This is due to volcanic activity in the local mountains. The southern coast of the island is famous for its white sandy beaches.
52. Most of the population of Martinique are the descendants of African slaves who were once brought here to work on French plantations. Almost all the Indians who lived here before the arrival of the French were exterminated or fled from the island, so today they cannot be found here. Whites make up only about 5% of the island's population. Some of them are Russian-speaking diaspora. 90% of the population professes Catholicism.
53. French has the status of an official language in Martinique, but "patois" (a mixture of African dialects and French) is much more common among the local population.
54. There are no minerals in Martinique. But the island is well developed agriculture and tourism. Bananas and pineapples are grown here, and sugar and rum are also produced. And all this is exported.
55. And Martinique does not produce anything else. Meat, grain, vegetables, drinks, medicines, furniture, dishes, clothes and oil have to be imported.
56. There are not very many tropical forests left here, they are preserved only on the slopes of the mountains.
57. The nature of Martinique is generous and varied, but there are few animals in the forests. Basically, some species of rodents, snakes, as well as domestic animals predominate in the local fauna. The scarcity of the animal world is associated with the massive deforestation of tropical forests, which have survived in the wild only in mountainous regions.
58. There is an island of iguanas in Martinique - these are reptiles, huge lizards.
59. Previously, there were a lot of lizards and snakes on the island. To combat them, in the 1800s, planters brought mongooses to the island. But it did not end in anything good: the mongooses multiplied very quickly and began to devour bird eggs. Because of this, some other species of birds have been completely exterminated or endangered.
60.Park Floral is a park area located in the capital of Martinique and abounding with flowers of various kinds. A huge variety of flowers is complemented by bizarre and unique palm trees, as well as entire groves of eucalyptus.
61. In the park, you can walk for a very long time or sit on a bench and admire this colorful beauty of the surrounding nature. In addition, food fairs and shopping arcades are also located here, where you can buy products created by the hands of local craftsmen.
62. A colorful sight is the black volcanic sand beach of Enns Siron. The old villages of Enns Belleville and Le Precher, the remains of chocolate plantations, are also interesting for tourists. And for a good rest on the water, the beach in Enns Culver Bay is perfect.
63. Tourists will also be interested in seeing the building of the Scholcher Library, Saint-Louis Cathedral, visiting the Museum of the Department of Archeology and seeing the Fort-de-France Aquarium.
64. In the northern part of Martinique, the fishing town of Grand Rivière is interesting to visit with a colorful fish market and rows of fishing boats painted in bright colors. Also, the Grand Rivière offers an excellent panorama of the Martinique Strait, and in good weather you can see the distant coast of the Dominican Republic.
65. A trip to the town of Sainte-Marie, which is famous for its rum, will be interesting. At the Museum of Rum, you can taste various varieties of this drink produced in Sainte-Marie.
66. Not far from the town of Diamant, where houses are built of coral blocks, there is a small volcanic island Rocher du Diamant, with an incredibly rich underwater world (for which Rocher du Diamant received the unofficial title of "Mecca of divers" of Martinique).
67. Many tourists who decide to tour Martinique are attracted not only by the opportunity to relax on the tropical coast and dive into the Caribbean and Atlantic waters, but also by a large number of festivals, the number of which Martinique is often compared with Cuba and Brazil.
68. Some of the most colorful events of this kind are the Queen's Carnival and the Mardi Gras Carnival (“Fat Tuesday”, the last day before the start of Lent in the Catholic Church), which take place on the island in February.
69. In addition, Martinique is famous for its sports festivals and events: first of all, we are talking about Navigation Week and international competitions in yachting and windsurfing (take place from February 4 to 9), as well as surfing competitions.
70. Despite the small size of the island, several queens ruling in France, Holland and Turkey were originally from Martinique: Josephine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon I; her daughter from her first marriage, Hortense de Beauharnais, who became Queen of Holland; her distant relative Aime de Ribery (Nakshedil), who accidentally got into the harem of the Turkish Sultan Abdul-Hamid I.
71.Since tourism is the main source of income for the local population, in terms of security, Martinique is quite a calm place. However, do not lose vigilance! Street theft and fraud here, as elsewhere in the world, is a common form of crime.
72. And the main health risks while staying on the island are: inattention to solar activity on the beaches - as a result, sunburn and overheating, as well as local jellyfish are quite poisonous! One must be careful when swimming in the sea; should be protected from insect bites. Repellents must be used!
73. The southern part of the island, well developed and mastered by tourists, is quite flat. All mountains are in the north. For this reason, small waterfalls can also only be seen in the north.
74. An interesting variety of trees in Martinique is the traveler's palm. Her crown is like an open fan. The palm tree accumulates water inside the trunk, thanks to which it helps to save the afflicted from thirst.
75. Martinique is similar to the southern Mediterranean coast of France. Like some suburb of Nice.
