Fort-de-France (redirected from Fort de France)

Fort-de-France (fôr-də-fräNs), city (1999 pop. 94,049), capital of the French overseas dept. of Martinique, West Indies. 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, first wife of Napoleon I, was born across the bay from the city.

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Fort-de-France

City (pop., 1999: 94,049), capital of Martinique, West Indies. Located on the island's western coast, it was formerly called Fort-Royal and has been Martinique's capital since 1680. Until 1918, when its commercial growth began, it had an inadequate water supply, was partly surrounded by swamps, and was notorious for yellow fever; the swamps have since been drained. It is the French West Indies' largest town, chief port, and busiest commercial centre and has long sheltered the French fleet in the West Indies. Sugarcane, cacao, and rum are exported.

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Fort-de-France

the capital of Martinique, a port on the W coast: commercial centre of the French Antilles. Pop.: 94 049 (1999 est.)

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Fort-de-France 

a city and capital of Martinique, an overseas possession of France in the West Indies. Population, 100,000 (1974). Fort-de-France is a port on the western coast of the island of Martinique. Industry includes the production of rum, sugar, and canned fruits. Rum, sugar, and fruit are exported.