Martinique in the town of Saint-Pierre, Auguste Cyparis, was saved by the thick walls of his prison cell. Shortly thereafter the capital shifted to Fort-de-France, where it remains today. During WWII, the Vichy government controlled Martinique and Guadeloupe. German U-boats used Martinique for refueling and re-supply during the Battle of the Caribbean. In 1942, 182 ships were sunk in the Caribbean, dropping to 45 in 1943, and 5 in 1944. Free French forces took over on the island on Bastille Day, 14 July 1943, as Admiral Robert fled. In 1946, the French National Assembly voted unanimously to transform the colony into
Geography of Martinique extremes: <br>"lowest point:" Caribbean Sea 0 m <br>"highest point:" Montagne Pelee 1,397 m Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land, Land use: <br>"arable land:" 8% <br>"permanent crops:" 8% <br>"permanent pastures:" 17% <br>"forests and woodland:" 44% <br>"other:" 23% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 40 km² (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) Environment - current issues: NA Population:429,510 Geography of Martinique Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Cuba and north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: <br>"total:" 1,100