The Martinican people originated from Martinique, an insular region of France located in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Most of Martinique's population is descended from enslaved Africans brought to work on sugar plantations during the colonial era, generally mixed with some French, Amerindian (Carib people), Indo-Martiniquais (of Tamil origin).

They speak French and also some speak Martiniquan Creole, a form of Antillean Creole closely related to the varieties spoken in neighboring English-speaking islands of Saint Lucia and Dominica. Their culture is a blend of French and Caribbean culture.

The majority of Martinican are Roman Catholic with a small percentage adhering to either Hindu, Protestant, African belief systems, Judaism, or being non-religious.