Martinique

The French Empire lives on in a variety of spots around the world, and this is one of them. Martinique is one of those places that has been the subject of invasions and fighting over the years. That's rather interesting, since Columbus first landed landed there on one of his trips.... but Spain could have cared less about claiming it. 

Eventually French settlers moved into the region, some of them seeking religious freedom. Every so often in the 1700s and early 1800s, the British would invade and take it over for a while ... only to lose it a bit later. In 1815, Martinique became a French possession for good. It has achieved some autonomy over the years, but true independence hasn't arrived yet. Does it count on a list of countries visited? Tough call.

It checks in at 436 square miles, and Mount Pelee is the dominant physical feature of the place. The volcano is more than 4,500 feel above sea level. You can see its peak in the photo, towering above Saint-Pierre. Pelee hasn't erupted in about 90 years, but that doesn't mean the people are taking anything for granted. 

If you are visiting, use euros and drive on the left. Of course, like most of the Caribbean, dollars from the United States are gleefully accepted. People speak French and Creole, although English pops up in the tourist areas.