
From Corsica we move away from Europe and to the Americas, into the Caribbean sea, specifically the Lesser Antilles, stretching from Puerto Rico south to Venezuela. This fractured archipelago was snapped up during the European land grab for the Americas by the colonial powers, of which France was one. France has managed to retain many of these islands today, now as integral parts of France.
The different regions and collectivities, sometimes collectively referred to as the "French West Indies", are discussed below from north to south, starting with Saint Martin.
French Guiana


Saint Martin


Saint Martin, or Saint-Martin in French, is the northern most of France's Caribbean territories. Saint Martin is an Overseas Collectivity of France, but until 2007 it was part of the Overseas Region of Guadeloupe.[1]
References
- ↑ Anonymous author (February 23 2007). "Les élections du futur conseil territorial font débat" (in French). Newmedita-fr.info. Newmedia. http://www.newmedia-fr.info/ixm_ixpnews.php?file=article&story_id=21579. Retrieved March 21 2012.