Flag of Martinique

As an overseas department of Martinique is the official flag of the flag of France.

The snake flag

The " snake flag " is the heraldic banner of the coat of arms of Martinique. Originally it was the flag of the French colony of Martinique and St. Lucia, which is why the snakes in the four blue corners in L- form were presented. Until the British Saint Lucia conquered, Martinique was administered from there. The flag was introduced ( white cross on a blue background) on 4 August 1766 a variant of the former French maritime flag. These Nautical Flag is still the basis of the flag of Québec. The snake is the native Martinique - lance (Bothrops lanceolatus ).

The flag is not undisputed. The Independence Party Mouvement des democrates et des Ecologistes pour une Martinique Indépendante ( MODEMAS ) criticized the flag had been used earlier on slave ships and would now only used by the European-born population; the coat of arms on buildings of government and in the uniforms of the police. In connection with the flag of the MODEMAS speaks of a symbol of " social apartheid " and " racism."

Today's " snake flag "

More flags of Martinique

The General Council of the overseas departments has its own flag. On the white flag of the Council of the logo is out. In addition to his status as an overseas department of Martinique is a French region, the Regional Council has the right to take its own flag.

The Independence Party MODEMAS used a flag that is divided as the flag of the Czech Republic. The triangle at the hoist is red, the upper stripe is green, the lower black. The aspect ratio is 1:2. A flag with the same appearance, but an aspect ratio of 2:3, using the Front National de Liberation de la Martinique in the 1960s/70s.